A DEDICATED pensioner from Cirencester has received an award for giving blood an astonishing 122 times during the last 57 years.

Bob Page, 76, was a guest at The Four Pillars Hotel in Oxford earlier this year where he was presented with a glass plaque marking his 100th blood donation.

The retired mental health worker said he was "very pleased" to receive such an award. He first gave blood when he was 19-years-old.

"The reason I started giving blood was because in those days you had to do two years in the forces if you were fit enough," said Mr Page. "I went in 1957 and part of the initial training you had to choose to give blood or work eight hours in the cook house.

"So I chose the easiest way out!"

Mr Page has lived in Cirencester for 26 years and has been retired for just more than 10 years. He used to work at Cirencester Hospital, running craft workshops for those who had mental health problems.

In the past, donors had to stop giving blood when they turned 70, but Mr Page was told he could continue on after his birthday as long as he was fit and healthy.

"But because there was a change to my medication I had to stop altogether which was disappointing," he added.

Despite his time as a donor coming to an end, Mr Page is still a member of Cirencester Hospital League of Friends and enjoys going on walks with his partner Jeanette and playing tennis.

He is very proud of his final donor number.

"I've yet so meet anyone who has donated 122 times, " he said. "I tell everyone to do it if they can. People shouldn't be put off or worried about needles. When I was at the presentation in Oxford there was a lady there in her late twenties who had a very bad time having her baby. She had lost a lot of blood so she came to explain how important is is for donors to give blood."

Visit blood.co.uk for more.