A woman who has given blood more than 80 times has been recognised by the National Blood Service (NBS) for her life-saving contributions.

Patricia Glen, a pensioner from Arundel Drive, Boreham-wood, was presented with a crystal plate in honour of her commitment to giving blood.

She was one of 129 long- serving donors celebrated at an awards ceremony in London last month. Of those, 21 donors had given blood at least 100 times.

Ms Glen, who is recently retired, has now donated more than 80 times but says her target is 100.

While an estimated 1.3 million people donate blood each year, only three per cent do so in such high numbers.

Hospitals around the country use 7,000 pints of blood daily, often for life-saving procedures.

Ms Glen has been donating four times a year since she was 25. She started after her younger sister had an operation requiring eight pints of blood.

She said: “It brought it home to me how important it was.

“You never know when you might need some back. I haven’t so far, touch wood.”

One blood donation can save up to three lives, so in theory Ms Glen has helped more than 225 people.

NBS spokeswoman Rebecca Khan called the long- serving blood donors ‘silent’ heroes.

“We hope more people follow their example and do their bit to help keep blood stocks healthy,” she said.

Those honoured at the event, held in the New Connaught Rooms, in Covent Garden, enjoyed a meal and heard from Sarah Thompson, who has had a successful blood and bone marrow transplant.

Ms Glen said she was proud of the award. “You don’t do it for that reason but its nice to be recognised for it,” she said She next plans to donate blood in January.