A major recruiting campaign is being held at the Lakeside Shopping Centre later this week.

The National Blood Service (NBS) will be at the West Thurrock complex for a two-day campaign aimed at attracting new donors, nurses and volunteers.

Staff from the NBS Centre in Brentwood will be aiming to raise awareness of the importance of becoming a blood donor and the work that goes on behind the scenes.

They will be at the centre stage on Thursday and Friday April 11 and 12, between 10am and 10pm.

The NBS plans to recruit as many people as possible and will be handing out freebies, giving out information on becoming a blood donor and will help those with questions.

Ruth Greenaway, communications officer for the NBS in the Anglia region, said: "We are really pleased to have been given this second opportunity in the year to recruit new blood donors at Lakeside.

"With hospital demand standing at 10,000 units of blood for hospitals in England and North Wales on a daily basis, blood stocks are being constantly turned over.

"We need to remind everyone that by becoming a blood donor they are helping to save at least one person's life with just a single donation of blood."

It is hoped to build this extra date in as a permanent fixture on the NBS recruitment calendar.

Published Monday, April 8, 2002