A KINGSTEIGNTON man has been recognised for his life-saving achievements having donated more than 75 pints of blood.

Retired toolmaker John Backway, 63, gave his first pint back in 1976 when working as an apprentice at what was then the STC factory, Paignton. 'I was bullied into it,' he chuckled.

'I was in the workshop when the sister came in looking for volunteers, but I thought give blood? No way. Well all the lads started jeering and calling me a coward so I thought okay, I'd do it.