A father of three with a rare blood group has been praised for donating 83 pints of blood over the last 42 years.

Only three per cent of donors reach his total, and Malcolm Phipps, of Spenlove Close, Abingdon, has helped hundreds of patients.

The 62-year-old building consultant -- who hopes to have donated 100 pints by August 2007 -- has now been given a rare green donor card to mark his achievement.

As well as being honoured for the amount of blood donated, the National Blood Service is delighted with his dedication as he has a rare blood group, A negative.

Forty-five per cent of the population is Group O and 43 per cent is Group A, but only one per cent are A negative.

Mr Phipps, who plays cricket and referees rugby matches, has given an emergency blood donation several times, saving the lives of ill and injured people who share his blood group.

His first experience of donating blood has stayed with him: "I was having a chat with the chap in the next bed while we were waiting.

"He was telling me it would be all right. Nothing to worry about.

"Then a nurse approached us with a needle and he went a bit quiet. The next thing I knew he had passed out -- but I was fine!"

After years of donating at the Northcourt Hall centre in Abingdon, Mr Phipps attends the donor suite at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, and gives blood three times a year.

His youngest daughter, Nicola, is the same A negative group, and also donates precious blood.