POLICE officers spent an afternoon off duty to give blood during a donation event.

Officers from the Harwich Community Policing Team decided to give blood at an event organised by NHS Blood Donation.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Whilst some of the team chatted with other blood donors most of the officers took their turn in the chair to donate their blood.

“For some it was their first experience, whilst for others, including PC Kirsty Lucas, it was her 34th donation.”

To find out more about how you can donate blood and help save a life, visit www.blood.co.uk.