The NHS has made a plea for 130 life-saving stem cell donors in Greater Manchester to register monthly.

This initiative is part of a campaign aiming to recruit at least 1,500 under-40s from the region to its Stem Cell Donor Registry every year.

For the first time, all women aged 17 to 40 can join the register.

This comes ahead of Stem Cell Awareness Day which is celebrated on October 9.

Stem cell transplants, used to treat diseases like certain leukaemia types, are becoming more frequent, creating an urgent need for donors.

Guy Parkes, head of stem cell donation and transplantation, said: "There is always a need for more stem cell donors and so we're thrilled to now be able to welcome all women aged 17-40 to the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry, too."

Frank Goodman and Peter, along with their wives Judy and NicoleFrank Goodman and Peter, along with their wives Judy and Nicole (Image: Supplied)

Former leukaemia patient Frank Goodman from Preston, aged 77, who had a life-saving stem cell transplant eight years ago, said: "I really do encourage as many people as possible to sign up to the register – you never know whose life you might save."

The NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry recruits from blood donors and encourages those wanting to be stem cell donors to register to give blood.

For more information, visit www.blood.co.uk/stemcells.