They have been honoured at a National Blood Service awards evening at Dunston Hall, in a ceremony which paid tribute to their life-saving achievements.

"It is a great honour for me and everyone at the service to be able to recognise the achievements of these donors," said blood service spokesman Gareth Bell.

"We will never truly be able to repay them for their years of dedication but hope their award reminds them what a fantastic thing they do each time they roll up their sleeve."

Jacqueline Bradley, of Wortham, and Brenda Castell, of Stuston, were awarded an engraved crystal plate to mark 75 donations, and Bob Rayson, of Stradbroke, and John Firth, of Weybread, received crystal decanters for 100 donations.

"I first donated in 1962 when I was 22 at a steelworks in Cumberland," said Mr Firth, now aged 68.

"I saw everyone else doing it and thought I'd get involved as well and I have just carried on doing it ever since."

The NBS need 7,000 donations a day throughout England and north Wales to ensure a good supply of blood.

Anyone in good health aged 17-60, and weighing more than 7st 12lbs can donate. The process takes about an hour, with a six-to-eight minute donation taking just less than a pint of blood.

Darren Westby, of Diss, suffered kidney failure seven years ago and has benefited from blood transfusions.

He said: "It is so vital that people give blood, and it is needed in all sorts of operations, not just ones like mine."

"I've had more than 20 operations, as well as a transplant, so people's donations have been important to me."

Mr Firth is also keen for more donors to get involved in regularly giving blood and said: "My advice is to give it a go. There is always a need for it and it only costs your time."

Mr Rayson agreed with the need for blood, having made the first of his 100 donations in 1967, as an 18-year-old in north London.

He said: "If more people gave blood then there wouldn't be a shortage, more people ought to be getting involved."

The ceremony saw 89 East Anglian blood donors awarded for their efforts, who were further praised by Mr Bell.

"Long standing blood donors really are unsung heroes," he said. "Without dedicated blood donors, many routine procedures could not take place."

The next blood donor session in Diss is at the Corn Hall on September 16, 1-3.30pm and 4.30-7pm, with others taking place across the area.

To make an appointment, call 0845 7711 711.