Companies in Gloucestershire are being urged to encourage their employees to sign up to the Organ Donation Register to save lives.

On average three people die every day waiting for a transplant because of a shortage of people donating.

Right now, there are 7 600 waiting for a transplant across the UK, including more than 250 children.

It takes two minutes to register  to become an organ donor, and you could save up to nine lives.

The appeal from the Gloucestershire Organ Donation Committee comes during Organ Donation Week.

Running from September 23-29, this year's event celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Organ Donation Register.

Although organ donation has been saving lives in the UK since the 1950s, the register was created in 1994 to allow people to record their decision.

Since then more than 100,000 lives have been saved over the last 30 years thanks to donors.

Ian Mean, Business West Gloucestershire director and chair of the Gloucestershire Organ Donation Committee, said: "Organ donation is without doubt the greatest gift you can give.

It's the gift of life by saying 'yes' to organ and tissue donation.

"It takes only two minutes to sign up to the register, and when you do you could save up to nine lives".

Firms like Renishaw and educational bodies like the University of Gloucestershire are backing the appeal.

The committee is hosting a special evensong today (Sept 25) from 5.30pm at Gloucester Cathedral to mark Organ Donation Week. Everyone is welcome.