A blood donor session on an Oxford housing estate has been saved thanks to help from Oxford Mail readers.

The future of a regular session at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre in Pegasus Road was under threat because not enough people attended the three-monthly event.

But numbers increased after teenager Sarah Cross appealed for help in the Oxford Mail.

Miss Cross, 18, of Hunters Close, Wantage, has two plasma transfusions every week because she suffers from primary immune deficiency, which means her body does not produce infection-fighting white blood cells.

Following her plea, 97 people, including eight new donors, ignored heavy rain to give blood in Blackbird Leys, on Wednesday.

Although the group did not match average numbers at blood donor sessions, of 120 to 140 people, it was more than the leisure centre's average turnout of 69.

The National Blood Service thanked readers for their help. Spokesman Jude Pamington said: "We're thrilled at the support for the session and would like to thank all those who came along to donate.

"Although the session is still a little under target, the figures are now heading in the right direction and the future of the Blackbird Leys session is extremely positive."

The NBS needs 10,000 pints of blood a day to make sure it has enough for life saving treatment.

The John Radcliffe Hospital alone needs 22,000 units every year, but only 5,800 city residents out of 100,000 possible donors give blood.

The stocks are used to help trauma patients, as well as people undergoing operations. They are also used for people who need transfusions regularly because of a range of conditions, including patients like Miss Cross, who has had 800 blood transfusions since she was 11.

The next session at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre will be on March 28.

Anyone who would like details about local sessions should call 08457 711711 or log on to www.blood.co.uk