CELEBRITIES are backing a renewed Government push to boost the number of organ donors – with 4,000 people in the UK having just spent their second Christmas waiting for a transplant.

The Bolton News campaigned last year for as many people as possible in the town to sign the register - linking in with the year that the Transplant Games was staged in the borough.

An online campaign is now urging people to post a picture of their New Year wish lists, feature two wishes supporting organ donation and one other, as well as the hashtag #donationwish.

London Mayor Boris Johnson and former England footballer Sol Campbell are among the personalities backing the campaign.

Harwood heart transplant patient Curtis Jackson has welcomed the Government's focus on driving donor numbers up.

Mr Jackson's successful transplant at Wythenshawe Hospital in October 2010 enabled him to continue as a carer for his wife, who died in October last year.

He said: "I know what a difference these operations can make. For anybody who is still alive after a transplant, the mere fact you have a chance of surviving is massive.

"The general feeling I get is that more and more people are signing up, but the need is still great.

"Anything that persuade people to make that decision and sign up is worthwhile."

The number of people waiting for an organ transplant is 6,909, and despite increases in the number of people benefitting from an organ transplant, three people still die every day waiting for an organ.

The Government is committed to boosting numbers on the register. People are now prompted to join the register when they apply online for services including passports, registering to vote and booking a practical driving test.

Minister without portfolio Grant Shapps said: "People die needlessly every year due to a shortage of organs – something that could be avoided simply by encouraging more people to join the Organ Donor Register.

"That’s why I have spoken to the Prime Minister and colleagues across Government to ask for their help in making it easier for people to sign up to donate their organs and save more lives.

"People will now be able to sign up when they apply online for a passport, register to vote, renew their driving licence or renew their Oyster card."

The Government claims the latest push follows a successful trial on the DVLA website which saw more than 830,000 people sign up.