NHS Blood and Transplant is urging people in Hampshire and around the world to talk about donating their organs.

The call comes as it launches a TV advertising campaign to highlight the upcoming changes to the law around organ donation in England.

From spring 2020, all adults in England will be considered to have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.

This is unless they record a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.

Excluded groups will include those under the age of 18, people who lack the mental capacity to understand the new arrangements and take the necessary action, visitors to England and those not living here voluntarily, and people who have lived in England for less than 12 months before their death.

The campaign aims to motivate people across England to Pass It On, by either making the decision to pass on their organs to save lives; passing on their decision to family and friends; or passing on information about the law change to other people.

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Christmas is an incredibly busy time of year; however, it should also be a time for family and thinking of others. We want everyone to know the law around organ donation is changing, to understand how it is changing and the choices available to them. We want them to make their organ donation decision and whatever that decision is, to share it with their family.

"A time like Christmas, when families come together, is a good opportunity to do this. Every precious organ donor allows more families to spend special times together.”

The television advert will air today [December 20], featuring a woman who passes on a balloon to a waiting patient to symbolise passing on life through organ donation.

To register your donation decision, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 303 2094.