A Highland mother-of-two is appealing for new blood donors to come forward this Christmas.

Gayle Fraser's call comes as the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service says younger donors are needed to save and improve the lives of patients in Scotland.

The 34-year-old required blood after the birth of her son Aodhan, who is now 18-months-old.

Speaking for the first time about her ordeal, she says Aodhan's heart rate dropped while she was contracting. The last stage of her labour was rushed and she ended up losing a large amount of blood.

Speaking at the National Blood Transfusion Centre in Inverness, she said: "It was frightening because it was so unexpected, I think that's what got me.

"I'd never have expected to lose so much blood during childbirth and to ever have need to have a transfusion.

"To go through the difficulty of labour and to have a safely delivered baby, to suddenly then black out and to feel so dreadful, it was a shock."

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service says her story shows how much of a difference blood donors can make to people's lives.

In 2010 the service spearheaded a schools programme which recruited 6500 youngsters, aged 17 and 18, but more are needed as the number of new donors in Scotland declines.

Katie Moir, donor services manager, said: "We really need people to come forward.

"We have an ageing population now and as the population increases, the need for blood actually increases.

"So it's vital that these youngsters come along and help us."