A PENSIONER who has helped save dozens of lives, was invited to a ceremony to mark his achievements.

Dennis Askew, of Beilby Close, Bedale, has given blood 75 times during the past 25 years, and his thought for others was rewarded when he was presented with a crystal salver by the National Blood Service (NBS), in Leeds.

Mr Askew was among a number of regular donors, who between them have given enough blood to keep a major hospital supplied for an estimated 50 days.

"We are delighted to be able to honour the achievement of these special donors,'' said NBS spokeswoman, Emma Heesom.

"We hope their example will encourage others to give blood and help to save lives. We depend entirely on voluntary donations from the general public and, in the Yorkshire region alone, we need to collect over 1,000 units each day to meet the needs of patients in the area."

* For more information about becoming a donor, call 0845 7711711.