New figures reveal seven people from Cornwall became life-saving deceased organ donors over the last year, helping the UK reach its highest ever number of donors.

More and more families in the area are supporting donation. There has been an increase in donors in Cornwall over the last decade, up from five in 2007/2008.

NHS Blood and Transplant has released the figures to mark the publication of its annual Transplant Activity Report today.

However the overall shortage of donors remains and there is an urgent need for more people to support donation.

Around three people die a day in need of a donated organ but many people have never told their relatives they want to save lives.

There are still 51 people from Cornwall on the transplant waiting list and a donated organ is the last and only hope for many people on the list.

The annual report also demonstrates how the ageing population means the average age of potential donors is increasing. The average age of donors in Cornwall during the 2017 calendar year was 60.

Anyone can join the NHS Organ Donor Register, age and medical conditions are not necessarily a barrier to donation. However many over 50s don’t join the NHS Organ Donor Register or tell their families they want to donate because they don’t think their organs could help other people.