IT WAS a macabre and sinister sight as two vampires invaded a York blood donor session - but never fear, they had come to give blood, not to take it.

This unusual turnaround, with the two members of the undead meekly volunteering to give a pint of their finest, came about when two York Dungeon actors fulfilled a long-held ambition to become donors.

Bryan Heeley, 50, of Leeds, and Tania Dron, 25, of Acomb, York, broke off from rehearsals for the Dungeon's forthcoming attraction: Vampires: Fact Or Fiction, to make their donations.

Tania said: "It's one of those things you know you should do, but for some reason you just keep putting it off.

"Rehearsing our new roles as vampires reminded us about giving blood, and we just thought it would be really novel to go along and donate in costume."

Blood Service spokesperson Laura Summers said: "Giving blood only takes an hour of your time, and so many patients' lives depend on donations.

"Nearly 250 donations are given to patients in the York area every week, so we always welcome new donors, even the undead!"

Blood and blood products are particularly crucial during Bank Holiday periods, so donors are being urged to come forward to give blood during the run-up to Easter.

For more information about giving blood, call the National Donor 24-hour helpline on 0845 7 711 711, or log on to www.blood.co.uk.

Donors need to be aged between 17 and 60 (or up to 70 for regular donors), be in general good health and weigh over 50kg (7st 12lb).

Updated: 11:42 Wednesday, March 17, 2004