AN Oxford Mail photographer found himself in front of the cameras after giving enough blood to help up to 1,500 people.

Antony Moore, 58, was praised by staff as he donated his 500th pint of the red stuff at the National Blood Service donor suite, at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

But Mr Moore, of Headington, who is also known as a member of the Headington Road Runners and sings with White Horse Harmony, said giving blood was easy, because it had become a sociable event and the NBS workers were now "old friends".

He said: "I'm slightly embarrassed about this because I see it as something normal. It's part of my life and it's quite nice because I get to see the staff who all know me.

"I don't think it's a big deal at all and I'm sure a lot of people would be donors if they just got round to it.

"I never think in terms of the people I'm helping. I'm more interested in the biscuits. I could fall under a bus one day and get a lot of it back."

Mr Moore first donated blood as an 18-year-old student in a church hall in Leeds in 1968.

He said: "My dad had been a blood donor, so I'd seen his donor card around. I imitated my father - that's what all men do."

Although volunteers can only roll their sleeves up to donate normal blood once every four months, many opt to donate platelets, which can be given every fortnight. They are given to patients with bone marrow failure, such as those with leuk- aemia.

Mr Moore decided to give platelets after learning about the process through his job as a newspaper photographer, and he now visits a donor clinic every five weeks.

He said: "I was doing a job at the JR in the 1980s about the whole National Blood Service and I got chatting to them.

"Giving platelets takes about an hour and a half and you have to be able to take time off work to do it, so because I work different shifts it's easy for me to do that.

"I think it's important that donors talk about their experience to create awareness.

"It is a simple, easy, and painless procedure, and is a necessary thing to do."

The National Blood Service is presenting Mr Moore with a crystal decanter today.

NBS communications officer Melissa Pang comments: "This is a rare and incredible achievement that is possible only with much commitment.

"We express our heartfelt congratulations to Antony, and would like to thank him on behalf of all patients for his exemplary dedication.

"Every pint donated saves about three people, and to have made 500 donations means he has potentially saved a remarkable number of lives in his lifetime."

For details on how to become a donor, call 0845 7711 711