The NHS has put out an urgent plea for blood donors in London to stop cancelling appointments, as “stocks are lower than [they] would like”.

NHS Blood and Transplant say O negative and B negative blood stocks have come “under pressure” ahead of the busy winter period.

More than 14,000 people who registered with Give Blood in 2023 are yet to make an appointment to donate, according to NHS figures.

The NHS says donor centres in Shepherd’s Bush and Tooting all have “good appointment availability”.