A Trowbridge man has been awarded for donating blood 75 times and potentially saving over 200 lives.

Eric Robinson, 56, was presented with a Royal Doulton crystal plate by the National Blood Service, to say thank you for his dedication to saving lives.

He now joins a group of just three per cent of donors who make 75 donations, and has potentially saved as many as 225 lives.

Mr Robinson started donating blood when he was 18 because he wanted to do something to help other people.

Mr Robinson, said: "The blood service staff are friendly wherever I go.

"As long as I am able to, I want to continue to give blood."

Zo Sheppard, communications officer for the National Blood Service, said: "Mr Robinson's selfless dedication to helping others is truly inspiring and we hope that his commitment will encourage others to come forward and give blood."

Only five per cent of those eligible to give blood actually do so and 8,000 units of blood are needed every day to maintain supplies to hospitals for surgery and treatments.