Amateur artists and designers in Mansfield and Ashfield are being urged to create a poster encouraging people to sign the organ donation register.

For inspiration they can base their work on either Sherwood Forest Hospital’s local campaign theme – Second Chance – or the NHS Blood and Transplant Service’s national theme “turn an ending into a beginning”.

The competition is being run as part of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Second Chance campaign during national organ donation week.

Three days of events begin on Wednesday, September 7, in the main entrance area at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, and will include presentations by transplant recipients and medics.

Dr Sandeep Dhir said: “We are suggesting the two themes – Second Chance and “turning an end into a beginning” to inspire entrants but we are open to all ideas.

“More than 120 people in our area have received major organ transplants since 2013 but, sadly, 13 people have died in the same period and 36 people are currently still waiting.

“As well as encouraging more people to sign the organ donation register we are urging them to talk about their decision with relatives, who will have the final say if a transplant is to go ahead.

“Often next of kin decide not to allow transplants to go ahead because they haven’t understood their loved one’s wishes properly.”

Last year, the campaign poster competition was won by John Smith, who works as a hospital porter at King’s Mill.

The poster competition is open to anyone aged 11 and over living, working or attending school or colleges in the NG15 to NG25 postcode areas. Judging will be split into two categories, 11 to 17 inclusive and 18 and over.

The closing date for entries is October 24, 2016.

For full rules go to the Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust website.