The family of premature triplets have lent their support to a campaign to encourage people to give blood.

Hannah, Beth and Katie Almond all needed life-saving blood transfusions when they were born 15 weeks premature.

The youngsters are now 18 months old and healthy and lively.

Their parents Peter and Gillian regularly give blood and the trauma they went through when their daughters were born brought home to them the importance of every donation.

We reported on the triplets were featured shortly after their birth when it emerged they had to be split up because of a shortage of incubators. No hospital within 100 miles of their home could take all three.

The trio were born by caesarean at Worthing Hospital in January 2001.

Beth weighed 1lb 12oz and was sent to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton while Katie, weighing 1lb 14oz, was taken to Kings College Hospital in London.

Hannah, who weighed 1lb 7oz, was taken to Kingston Hospital in Surrey.

All thrived and were reunited at the Royal Sussex a month later.

Each needed regular blood transfusions in their early days to make sure there was enough oxygen in their bloodstream to keep them alive.

Mrs Almond, 33, of Landsdowne Place, Worthing, said: "They are all doing tremendously well now. Because they were born early they had some catching up to do but they are now at just the same level of development as other children of the same age.

"They all learnt to walk within a week of each other and they are now running about and into everything.

"They are a lot of hard work but obviously worth it.

"I have been a blood donor for some time but when the triplets were born I realised just how important it was.

"That is why we are urging people to do their bit and get involved. It was thanks to donors the triplets were helped. It really does make a difference between life or death."

Mr Almond was a three times a year donor before the children were born and is now even more determined to donate whenever he can.

He said: "I started when a friend at university invited me along and now I realise how important each pint can be."

Mrs Almond's parents, Vera and Roger Saunders, and her brother Derek are also regular donors and between them the family has given 140 pints.

About 60,000 pints of blood need to be collected in Sussex to keep hospitals supplied during the next year. To meet this demand 8,300 new Sussex donors have to be recruited to make up for donors who have had to give up due to age and health restrictions.

Russell Guthrie, spokesman for the south coast region of the National Blood Service (NBS), said: "The NBS faces many tough challenges to ensure the hospitals in the area get the blood they require.

"It is important to realise the need to collect blood is a constant one. We cannot stop.

"I would urge anyone who has been inspired by the Almonds to donate.

"Their story helps to prove there is no more worthwhile way of spending an hour than giving blood."

The National Blood Service can be contacted on 020 8258 8300.

For details of blood donor sessions, call the NBS on 08457 711711 or go to www.blood.co.uk.