Blood donors have been recognised for saving lives.

The eight donors from Waltham Forest were handed crystal awards at the NHS Blood and Transplant awards event.

Each blood donor at the event was said to have potentially saved the lives of up to three people with every donation they have made.

The so-called 'silent heroes' in Waltham Forest were Hazel Ansell, from Chingford, Geoffrey Boyes, from Chingford, Doreen Colpitts, from Highams Park, Barry Digby, from Leytonstone, Jennifer Kidman, from Leytonstone, David Berg, from Woodford Green, Maureen Measure, from Leytonstone, and Patricia Tiney, from Leyton.

They were among 57 donors at the event earlier this month and between them may have helped saved up to 17,000 lives. 

NHS Blood and Transplant chairman, John Pattullo, said: "The donors who have recieved awards today have made an invaluable contribution to saving and improving lives.  

"Blood donors, who give so much for the benefit of others, really are slient heroes of our society.