A TREE of life planted at a North Yorkshire hospital is commemorating people who have lost their lives but given others a chance to live theirs to the full.

A cross-section of an English oak was "planted" at Harrogate District Hospital. In future, every leaf added to the display will carry the name of an organ donor.

The first attached to the branches yesterday was that of 13-year-old Philip Traher, of Harrogate, who died in a road accident in 1996.

His parents have since become prominent campaigners, helping to raise awareness of transplant donation across the UK.

Nationally, during the past 12 months, organs from 745 people who had died were used in 2,247 operations to save and dramatically improve lives.

However, despite a six per cent increase in the number of transplants performed, more than 5,600 people are waiting for operations and almost 400 die every year on the list.

In Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, there are more than 450 patients presently waiting for a transplant.

Information is available from the stand at Harrogate District Hospital, by calling the Organ Donor Line on 0845 60 60 400, or by visiting www.uktransplant.org.uk