BLOOD donors in Gwent are being urged to do their bit to ensure there are enough supplies to treat potential war casualties - by NOT flocking to the next available session.

The Welsh Blood Service is asking for a spread of donors, rather than everyone attending in a very short period of time.

It is asking that donors keep to their planned regular session unless they are notified otherwise, by letter or telephone.

"Blood only has a life of three weeks after donation, so if everyone were to attend at the same time, three weeks later we would have a shortage of blood," said service recruitment manager Trudi Evans.

"If our regular donors attend sessions before we call them, it will be impossible for us to keep the steady supply of blood that we need.

"We will of course, if needed, supply our Armed Forces with whatever supplies of blood they might ask us for.

"We will need to do this on a daily basis, so a daily, steady attendance of donors will be needed.

"But there are also our usual hospital demands to meet, as well as those of patients who need regular supplies of fresh blood and platelets to keep them healthy."

Patients who require regular supplies include cancer and leukaemia sufferers.

The United Kingdom's blood services have been working with the Department of Health on the possible implications of military action in the Gulf for several months.

Blood stocks are currently good, and the national blood services anticipate they will be able to meet the demand for blood if required as a result of the Iraq conflict.

If there is an unusually high demand, the public will be informed through the media.

* Further details are available from the Welsh Blood Service on 0800 252266, including the medical criteria that must be met before a person can become a donor. There is also a website - www.welsh-blood.org.uk