PEOPLE in Ayrshire are being encouraged to get behind Organ and Tissue Donation Week by making a choice when it comes to their donation decision and most importantly, register it.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the NHS Organ Donor Register and celebrates the thousands of lives that have been saved thanks to people agreeing to the gift of organ and tissue donation.

With many still awaiting transplants, it remains vital for people to confirm their organ and tissue donation decision.

New figures released to coincide with the week from September 23-29 revealed that 52 per cent of people in Ayrshire and Arran have now registered their donation decision.

In Scotland, everyone has a choice when it comes to organ and tissue donation - to be a donor, or to opt out.

If people aged 16 and over choose to do nothing, it may be assumed that they agree to be a donor if they die in circumstances where donation is possible, unless they are in a group for whom the opt out system does not apply, or it would be against their views.

People can register their donation decision and find out more at organdonation.scot or by calling 0300 123 2323.