BLOOD donor Alan Turnbull is preparing to give his 150th donation when the Blood Transfusion Unit visits Upton on Sunday (July 2).

The 61-year-old town councillor has clocked up his remarkable total by being a plasma donor for many years.

"I've actually given 88 plasma donations and this will be my 62nd donation of blood," he said.

"I think it's only by giving plasma that you can reach this milestone, because you can give it more often. I used to go every six weeks, whereas I now give blood three times a year."

The nearest apheresis units for the donation of plasma are in Birmingham and Bristol, but Mr Turnbull lived in Sheffield when he gave plasma for the first time in 1986.

It involves blood being removed from the donor's arm in the usual way, but the blood is taken into a machine that separates the plasma and returns the remaining components to the donor.

"I began by giving blood twice a year. My first donation was in January 1960 at the United Shipping building in the City of London, when I was working for P&O Shipping," he said.

"When they opened the plasma units, they asked blood donors to contribute and I went along regularly until January 1994."

Mr Turnbull was awarded lapel badges to mark his 10th, 25th and 50th donations and on his 100th he also received a photograph and a Wedgwood plate. After moving to Upton five years ago, he continued to give blood and said he would like to encourage other people to become donors.

Blood Transfusion Service spokesman Bruce Holden said: "We're still looking for more. New donors can call 08457 711 711, or just turn up at Upton CE Primary School on Sunday, early in the session."

This lasts from 9.15am to 4.15pm, with a reduced level of service between noon and 2pm.