Seventy-three of the volunteers from the day have now been added to the bone marrow donor register and will hopefully save the lives of many more people affected by leukaemia.

The recruitment day was held in conjunction with leading leukaemia charity The Anthony Nolan Trust.

Among the volunteers on the day were several male members of the local lifeboat crew, whose presence was especially welcome given that the charity is seeking to recruit more healthy male donors.

Nigel Gorvett, from The Anthony Nolan Trust, said: "The clinic was a fantastic success. It was particularly pleasing to see so many male members of the local lifeboat crew because we especially need fit and healthy male donors to join our register simply.

"Due to their larger size, men are able to provide larger volumes of bone marrow and are also more often available, as women are unable to donate while pregnant and for 12 months after giving birth.

"This isn't to say that we don't need or want women though, quite the opposite! We need anyone aged 18 to 40 and in good health to join and become potential lifesavers."