FAMILIES in Somerset are being urged to talk during Organ Donation Week - which runs until Sunday - as new figures show 31 people from the county have died waiting for a transplant in the last five years.

Although more and more people are prepared to give their loved one’s organs, there is still an urgent need for more people to support donation.

NHS Blood and Transplant is now asking more people in Somerset to tell their families that they want to save lives through organ donation.

Last year, 49 people in Somerset had their lives saved by a transplant - if more agreed to donate, more lives would be saved.

The number of donors is increasing and waiting lists are reducing, but there are still around 6,000 patients waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant nationwide.

Councils and organisations around the country have been lighting prominent buildings pink, the colour of the modern donor card, in support of the organ donation campaign.

Anthony Clarkson, interim director of organ donation and transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: "It’s tragic that so many people from Somerset have died waiting for a transplant – what is shocking is that many of those lives could have been saved, had more families agreed to donate organs.

"People are dying every day because some families are not talking about donation. We need more families in Somerset to say yes to organ donation, so that more lives can be saved.

"We all know that organ donation legislation will change to a deemed consent system in England and Scotland in future years, but the harsh fact is people are dying right now waiting for an organ and it will still be important for people to know your decision.

"We don’t want people to die because of a fatal complacency that because you know you want to be an organ donor you presume your loved ones know it too.

"Please, let your family know your decision and ask them if they want to be donors. Don’t leave your family guessing what you would have wanted to happen.

"We know that many families feel enormous pride and comfort at knowing that their relative went on to save lives through the gift of organ donation."

Nationally, around three people die a day in need of an organ. Only a small percentage of people die in circumstances where they can donate, so every donor is precious.