The campaign will highlight the need to donate blood

It is launching a new advertising campaign aimed at recruiting and retaining blood donors.

Scotland needs 1,000 pints of blood every day to keep up with hospital demand.

There has been a steady decline in the number of new donors coming forward over the last five years.

Busy schedules

The transfusion service said it feared that without an urgent increase, long term needs might not be met.

Although supplies are good at the moment, keeping them that way is not easy.

The new campaign is aimed at persuading people to take time out of their busy schedules to give blood.

Statistics show that only 6% of those in Scotland who could give blood are currently registered donors.

Donations tend to dip during big sporting events such the forthcoming Olympics.