BLOOD donation sessions have been scrapped in Halstead – because the service’s vehicles will be too big.

From next month, blood donation sessions will cease to take place in Queen’s Hall, Halstead, as NHS Blood and Transport upgrades its vehicles.

The nearest donation venue will now be Earls Colne Village Hall, five miles away.

Steve Mills, area manager at NHS Blood and Transplant said: “Our session next month will be our last blood donation session at this venue.

“The lease on the current small vehicle we use for this session is due to expire and will not be renewed as we look to run a more efficient fleet.

“Our other vehicles are too large to access Queen’s Hall.

“We have been looking for an alternative larger venue in Halstead, which will give donors even more opportunity to donate and have access for our large vehicles.

“But so far we have been unable to find anywhere suitable.

“I know we have very loyal donors who attend this session and I am sorry that they will no longer be able to donate at this venue in future.

“I do appreciate that this is disappointing for local donors and I apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“I would like to say thank you to all our blood donors in the area for their commitment to saving and improving lives and I do hope that you will continue to donate blood in Earls Colne.”

Halstead resident and town historian Jim Davis has donated blood 50 times. He said: “There are only six beds in Earls Colne and it is already difficult to get an appointment.

“You aren’t supposed to drive after you have donated, but we will have to drive to get to Earls Colne.”

The last session at Queen’s Hall will take place on June 15.

Visit www.blood.co.uk