People are being urged to sign the NHS Organ Donor register after it emerged the scheme has saved more than 1,000 lives.

Figures released by NHS Blood and Transplant officials show the number of people now living as a result of organ donations reached 1,263 in Kent.

The number was taken from the group's annual Transplant Activity Report, which is also out today.

More people are alive thanks to transplants because of improving survival rates and increased public commitment to donation.

In Kent, the number of people on the Organ Donor Register has increased by 27% over the past five years.

There are now 691,361 people on it in Kent, compared to 543,832 five years ago.

How old you are or any existing medical conditions should not stop you from signing up.

Officials say you could save or transform up to nine people’s lives by donating your organs when you die and help even more by donating tissue.

Nationally, the number of people on the NHS Organ Donor Register reached a record number, 23.6 million.

Today 36% of the UK’s population is on the NHS Organ Donor Register, compared to 30% five years ago.

The public support for donation also means more people in Kent are receiving lifesaving and life enhancing transplants.

Last year 114 people in Kent had transplants, compared to 87 five years ago.

Sally Johnson, director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: "More people than ever in Kent are committing to organ donation and that is saving more lives than ever.

"It’s amazing to picture all the people now alive today thanks to organ donation and think of all the families and children who have grown up thanks to donors.

"We’re seeing more and more people committing to donation and the good results of our close work with hospitals.

"Our specialist nurses in organ donation are now almost always involved in discussions with families over organ donation.

"However there is still a long way to go. Around three people still die a day in need of a transplant.

"Every one of those people who died could be a mother or a father, a daughter or a son, who might be alive today.

"Families tell us donation is a source of pride that helps them in their grieving process. We don’t want anyone in Kent to miss the opportunity to donate.

"Please join the NHS Organ Donor Register. It only takes two minutes."