GLASGOW'S health board has urged people to share their organ donation decision ahead of the move to an opt out system later this week.

On Friday, Scotland will consider all people over 16 a potential donor if they die in circumstances in which they could donate - provided they haven't recorded a decision about donation.

It comes after the Glasgow Times successfully lobbied the law change as part of its Opt for Life campaign.

The five-year campaign was backed by the British Heart Foundation and dozens of MSPs as well as celebrities, such as Lorraine Kelly, prior to the Scottish Government's announcement to overturn the system in 2017.

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Dr Linda de Caestecker, director of public health, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “The law around organ and tissue donation is changing to help save and improve lives. I’d encourage people to think about what they’d want to happen as every opportunity for donation is precious.

“Whatever you decide, record it on the NHS Organ Donor Register and tell your family to help ensure that decision is honoured. If you’ve already recorded your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, there is no need to re-register as it will still stand when the new law is introduced.”

As part of a national campaign ahead of the shift, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is urging Glaswegians to make friends and family aware of their preference to be a donor or opt out.

People can record their decision to be a donor or to opt out on the NHS Organ Donor Register at any time.

If people do nothing by the end of the week, it will be assumed they agree to donate, unless they are in a group for whom the law does not apply.

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There are an average of around 500 people waiting on an organ transplant at any one time, however only around one per cent of people die in a way that makes organ donation possible.

For more about the law change, and to record your donation decision, visit here or call 0300 303 2094.