Blood donors are being encouraged to keep their appointments to give blood following the explosion at a concert in Manchester.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) said it has enough blood stocks at present so no additional drives are planned.

But NHSBT said that if anyone was interested in donating blood they should book an appointment to do so.

Mike Stredder, director of blood donation at NHSBT, said: “We are responding to last night’s events in Manchester.

“Our thoughts are with the people affected by this tragic incident.

“We do have all the blood required for hospital patients at the present time; however, we are always keen to encourage new donors to register and existing donors to book an appointment which can be done at Blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 to find your nearest session. If you have an appointment to give blood in the next few days, please do your best to keep it, particularly if you are blood group O negative.”

Meanwhile, overnight health workers visiting Manchester offered support to local hospitals treating the wounded.

Kirsty Withers, a theatre clinical manager at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (UHMB) NHS Foundation Trust, offered assistance to Manchester Royal Infirmary online, writing: “We are visiting for a health conference from morecambe bay trust tomorrow 3 Theatre ODPs available if needed.”

Stuart Hosking-Durn, an emergency preparedness, resilience and response professional with UHMB, also used Twitter to offer help, posting: “do you need extra hands, we have staff in Manchester, have ID and can attend.”

Mancunian GP Faizan Awan tweeted: “If you need any help doing clinical work either on wards or minors, let me know. Can be with you in 10 minutes.”

North West Ambulance NHS Trust sent 60 ambulances to the scene at Manchester Arena.

It said that 59 casualties had been taken to nearby hospitals and a number of walking wounded were treated at the scene.

Greater Manchester Police said the injured were being treated at six local hospitals.