A total of 16 people in Dorset died over the past five years while waiting for organ transplants, NHS data reveals.

The news comes as changes in organ donation laws are due to come into force within a year.

Dozens of people across the county are currently waiting for vital donations.

Statistics show that ten people in Dorset donated their organs in the 2018/19 period, while 1,600 lives were saved by organ donation nationwide.

Anthony Clarkson, director of organ donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), said: "There are 49 people in Dorset waiting for a transplant now. Their only hope for a new life is that a family in their time of grief will make the wonderful decision to agree to organ donation.

"With the law around organ donation changing in England from next spring, we urge everyone to find out about the choices available to them, make their decision and share it with their family."

From spring 2020, the organ donation system will change to an 'opt-out' system, where all adults, excluding some specific groups, will be automatically considered to have agreed to donate unless they put in a request not to.

Families will still be involved before organ donation goes ahead.

Exempt groups include under 18s, people deemed to lack mental capacity and people visiting England or who have lived here for under 12 months.

As reported, NHSBT launched a year-long campaign in spring, aimed at raising awareness of the organ donation law change.

According to a study, more people are dying in circumstances where they are able to donate their organs. There were 225 fewer in the 2017/18 period.

At the moment, only one per cent of the half a million people who die each year in England do so in circumstances where their organs can be donated.

Anthony Clarkson said: "We’re incredibly grateful to all the courageous donors and their families across the country, who helped us to save so many lives last year.

"Organ donation is the only hope for many desperately ill people. We know many families feel a sense of pride and comfort from their decision to let their final act to be saving lives through organ donation.

"No lifesaving transplant would be possible without the generosity of every donor and their families, who give their support and say ‘yes’ to organ donation."

Anyone who wishes to donate their organs after they die should visit organdonation.nhs.uk