The National Blood Bank has thanked donors who last week called to donate blood as supplies dwindled.

A spokesman said that an average of 100 bags of blood were collected every day as hundreds called following the Blood Bank's urgent call for help.

"The situation can turn around very quickly, and we therefore urge people to donate blood regularly to avoid another crisis," spokesman Tony Micallef said.

He welcomed the fact that a quarter of donors last week had donated blood for the first time, and said he hoped more would follow their example.

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