ORGAN donor registration forms are being mailed out to millions of drivers across the country with their vehicle tax reminders as part of the Leave More Than Memories organ donation campaign.

The campaign is being run by NHS UK Transplant and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and it is aimed at reversing the chronic shortage of organ donors.

Penny Hallett, UK Transplant’s communications director, said: “Transplants save and transform lives but the shortage of donated organs means nearly 400 people a year die while waiting and many more lose their lives before they even get on the transplant list.

“We know from public research that 90 per cent of people in the UK support the principle of organ donation but only about 19 per cent have got around to registering their wishes.

“This new campaign will give vehicle owners the opportunity to join the 4.7 million drivers who have signed up to join the NHS Organ Donor Register by ticking the box on their driver licence application form, which is already the main source of registrations.”

The emotive Leave More Than Memories campaign leaflet - showing a bouquet of flowers tied to roadside railings - reflects the pride of relatives that the loss of their loved one has given someone else the chance to live.

Ms Hallett added: “One of the reasons for the shortage of donor organs is that many people have not thought about donation or discussed it with their families.”

Anyone can join the NHS Organ Donor Register by phoning the Organ Donor Line on 0845 6060 400 or by visiting www.uktransplant.org.uk