A woman who has been donating blood for 40 years has been honoured.

Julie Withey, 58, of Princes Road, Dartford, started donating blood when she was 18 and just kept going.

She was presented with an Emerald Award, for 75 blood donations, at a ceremony thrown by the NHS at the Hilton Hotel, Green Park, London.

She was among 34 donors from across Kent receiving awards.

Mrs Withey, who attended the ceremony with her husband Vic, said: “It was nice to get a thank you and some recognition.

"It’s not why you do it but it makes you feel that you are doing something a little worth while.”

The donors have helped save more than 8,250 lives between them.