SOME of Winchester's top companies have been presented with an award for their commitment to giving blood.

The awards were handed out by The National Blood Service (NBS) in recognition of the commitment shown by the companies, both in terms of supporting staff wanting to give and allowing their premises to be used.

A spokesman for the NBS said the effort shown by companies across Winchester had helped save numerous lives and had made a significant contribution to the Blood Service.

The awards, called the Supporters Loyalty Awards, are designed to show those who do give blood just how important their contribution is and to encourage other to do the same.

During the past two years alone, those companies involved in the scheme have donated several thousand pints of blood and may have helped save the lives of tens of thousands of people.

Those Winchester companies honoured at the ceremony at Marwell Hotel last week, included: Dickinson Legg Ltd, Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Fire and Rescue, HSBC, NTL Crawley, RMC, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, and the Worthy Down Station and Winchester Garrison.

A spokesman for the National Blood Services, said: "Organisations and

companies which hold their own blood donation sessions enable many people

to donate blood in or near their workplace. This is an extremely important service and ensures that the NBS reaches a wide range of people and collects the 9,000 units of blood needed every day."