Donors are being asked to remember to give blood during the festive season.

Last year, contributions from more than 400 people were needed on key days over Christmas and the New Year for patients being treated at Oxford's main hospitals.

Staff at the National Blood Service are now urging donors to help replenish this year's supplies.

NBS spokesman Louise Coxon said: "The demand for blood is just as great as ever.

"While we're enjoying the holiday period, there will still be patients who will be rushed into our local hospitals, who will need to receive an emergency blood transfusion as part of the medical treatment to help save their lives."

The blood bank at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington, supplies blood to the JR, the Churchill Hospital and the Radcliffe Infirmary, in the city centre.

On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day a year ago, it supplied 247 units of red cells to replace blood lost by patients during surgery or because of haemorrhaging.

During the same five days, 99 individually-donated units of plasma were used for treatments that help blood clotting, and following blood loss.

And 41 packs of platelets, used after bone marrow failure and chemotherapy, were contributed by an estimated 100 people.

Ms Coxon said: "Our donors really are giving the greatest gift -- the gift of life."

Most people in good health and aged between 17 and 60 can donate blood. Call 08457 711711 for information about donation times.