PEOPLE in the region are being asked to give blood in the Easter holiday period.

The National Blood Service (NBS) needs to ensure enough donations are banked to cover the Easter break, and in the North-East alone 1,100 units are needed every day.

Laura Summers, spokeswoman for the NBS in the North-East, said: "The Easter holiday period can be a difficult time for maintaining blood stocks.

"We appreciate that people are busy with activities, but if donors could spare the time to come along to local sessions, and keep donor appointments, they would be making a valuable difference."

Blood donors need to be aged between 17 and 60, in general good health and weigh more than 50kg.

* Anyone wishing to find out more can contact the National Donor Helpline on 0845 7711711, or simply go along to any of the following sessions:

Sunday Billingham - Community Centre, Clifton Avenue, Wolviston Court, 2pm to 5pm; Monday Stockton - Hardwick Community Centre, Whessoe Road, 3pm to 7pm; Tuesday Darlington - Methodist Church Hall, Carmel Road, 3pm to 7pm; Wednesday Great Ayton - Great Ayton Parochial Church, Guisborough Road, 3pm to 7pm; Guisborough - Parochial Hall, Bow Street, 2.30pm to 7pm.

Thursday, April 17, Hartlepool - Bloodmobile in Asda car park, Marina Way, 10am to noon and 1.30pm to 4pm; Redcar - BSC Sports Centre, South Avenue, Dormanstown, 10am to 4pm; Sunday, April 20, Horden - Youth Centre, Eden Street, from 2pm to 5pm;

Tuesday, April 22, Darlington - St Cuthbert's Church, Market Place, 2pm to 7pm; New Marske - St Thomas' Church Hall, Gurney Street, 3pm to 7pm; Redcar - Redcar URC Hall, Station Road, 3pm to 7pm.

Wednesday, April 23, Grove Hill - Methodist Church, Belle Vue, Marton Road, 3pm to 7pm; Newton Aycliffe - Methodist Church Hall, Neville Parade, 3pm to 7pm;

Thursday, April 24 Stockton - Richard Hind Centre, Yarm Road, 3pm to 7pm; Yarm - Layfield Primary School, Everingham Road, 2.30pm to 7pm; Friday, April 25 Middlesbrough - St Mary's Centre, Corporation Road, 2pm to 6pm.