Roy Baxendell, aged 70, and John Nangle, aged 68, were presented with engraved crystal plates to mark their 75th donations of blood.

Former docks manager Mr Baxendell started giving blood when he was 18 during his National Service.Mr Nangle was recruited as a donor in 1958 when nurses visited his employer, British Gas.

J After a short break, he began giving regularly again and has continued to do so ever since.

J The importance of blood was later reinforced when his father received blood transfusions during an operation.

Only six per cent of people eligible to give blood are active donors, and of that number, less than one per cent reach 75 donations each year.

Rachel Roberts, spokesman for the National Blood Service, said: "We are incredibly grateful to our committed donors for their support. Every day, hospitals in the North-west need around 1,500 units of blood to deliver lifesaving transfusions. To meet this need, we are totally reliant on members of the public not only volunteering to give blood, but also making it a habit for life.

For more information on becoming a blood donor, call 0845 7 711 711 or visit www.blood.co.uk