Vehicles ready to transport blood in all types of terrain

SIX vehicles which have been introduced to help the movement of blood will save lives and encourage donations, the Scottish Government has said.

The "bloodmobiles" will be seen across the Lothians in future, both transporting blood in sometimes difficult terrains and raising awareness for the cause.

Among the fleet is a 24-seater coach which will take staff across the area to mobile donation facilities, while a vehicle named The Blue Light has been designed for emergency responses in winter weather.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "It is incredibly important that the health service continues to have adequate supplies of blood to save lives.

"Last winter saw transfusion service battle through the heaviest snowfall seen in Scotland for more than 40 years to make sure our NHS had sufficient supplies.

"The new 4x4 vehicles will make sure emergency supplies can get to where they are needed. I encourage everyone to please give blood if they can.

"We need 65,000 new donors to come forward this year."