The shocking figure, which covers Hartlepool and east Durham since 2004, comes only days after the Mail revealed how people in the region are shunning the lifesaving register.

There are currently 20 people in the area waiting for a kidney and one for a liver on the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR).

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But due to a shortage of donor organs they can expect to have a gruelling wait of more than 30 months to be given a matching kidney or six months for a new liver. But that is when a donor organ is found.

Hartlepool man Ian Reynolds has been on the donor register for almost four years while waiting for a kidney and has made a heartfelt plea for people to help change his life.

He has to have dialysis three times a week and his bags remain packed and waiting to go as he waits for the all important operation and word that there in an organ ready for him.

The figures were revealed by the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) service, which last week said that only 19.8 per cent of people in Hartlepool had signed up to be donors compared to 27 per cent nationally.

A service spokesman has thanked the people who have already signed up, but has pleaded for more to give their backing and join the register.

Spokesman Craig Taylor said "Every person who joins the register is offering hope to the 10,000 people currently needing an organ transplant to save or transform their life. But we need more people to sign up.

"If you would like to help please join and remember to tell your family about your wishes."

He added: "We appreciate that many people carry a donor card, but to ensure that your organs may be donated in the event of your death, it is important that you join the ODR and your loved ones know that you would like to help someone who need an organ.

"Receiving a transplant can really be life changing."

In the last year there were no deaths of people waiting on the register, but there were two deaths in each in 2007/08, 2006/07 and 2005/06.

In the last year, seven people received an organ transplant and seven had a new cornea, so far this year two people have had organ transplants and two have had new corneas.

TO sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register, call the donor 24-hour helpline on 0300 1232323 or visit
www.organdonation.nhs.uk