Fewer than 40 per cent of residents in Carlisle have signed up to the organ donation register, new figures reveal, despite patients in the city waiting for life saving surgery.

Information released by NHS Blood and Transplant shows just 39 per cent of people have taken action to make their wishes known by adding their name to the register.

This is lower than the national average of 40 per cent.

Meanwhile, the data states there are 10 people in Carlisle on the waiting list for a transplant, following 11 successful surgeries last year. In the last five years, six people in the area have died while waiting for an organ.

Experts at the NHSBT said it is vital for people to sign the register and tell their family of their wishes to help save lives.

England and Scotland are set to adopt an 'opt out' approach to organ donation within the next few years.

Anthony Clarkson, interim director of organ donation and transplantation at NHSBT, encouraged everyone to join the register and talk to their family about their wishes.

“People are living moment to moment, in desperate need of someone saying ‘yes’ to donation," he added.

“We all know that organ donation legislation will change 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."