Hundreds of people across Yorkshire and Humber are being forced to wait up to three years for a life-saving organ transplant, a survey has revealed.

In the region, 254 people are waiting for a new liver, kidney, heart, or other organ, the poll commissioned by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) shows.

The survey also revealed that in most of Yorkshire, fewer than 30 per cent of people have registered to be a donor, and across the UK, more than 7,500 people are waiting for a new organ.

The esearch was carried out to mark National Transplant Week.

It was undertaken to encourage more people to become organ donors and cut transplant waiting times from the current three-year average.

Sally Johnson, director for organ donation and transplantation at NHSBT, said: “We all know how frustrating it is to wait for something we want - be it a bus or a delivery at home - but our lives don’t depend on it.

“Imagine how it feels to be one of those waiting on average three years for a life saving transplant.”

Last year, The Press ran its Lifesavers campaign to raise awareness of organ donation.

To register, visit organdonation.nhs.uk or phone 0300 123 23 23.