South of France holiday scuppers Davey's blood donation

A summer holiday to the south of France scuppered Sir Ed Davey's attempt to give blood to the NHS.

The Liberal Democrat leader had been poised to donate at the Brixton Donor Centre but, after filling out paperwork, was told he could not go ahead due to his recent trip to the Charente region.

The NHS says those returning from certain parts of France between May and November should wait four weeks before donating due to the risk of mosquito-borne viruses.

A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said Sir Ed would return to give blood once the 28 days had passed.

His visit to the south London centre was part of a campaign to promote blood donations to "beat the winter crisis" in the NHS.

NHS Blood Donation says it needs over 140,000 people to donate blood for the first time this year to meet demand. Blood has a shelf life of 35 days, so stocks need constant replenishing.

Earlier this year, the NHS warned it faced "a significant shortfall in blood stocks with hot weather, holidays and high demand all significantly impacting supplies".

Gerry Gogarth, director of blood and plasma supply at NHS Blood and Transplant said: "We urgently need anyone eligible to donate to book an appointment as soon as they can."