BLOOD donors could hold the key to saving medical student Michelle Olver's life.

The talented 20 year old from Cedar Avenue in Bournemouth has leukaemia and needs a bone marrow transplant soon to stand a strong chance of making a full recovery.

Scores of potential donors attended a bone marrow clinic at the Victoria Avenue Tennis Club in Winton on Friday.

Michelle's dad Colin said: "The response was brilliant. Blood samples from more than 80 people were taken away by courier.

"They will now be analysed by Anthony Nolan Trust technicians in the hope that we have found a match for Michelle."

A donor must be found by March - within a year of diagnosis - to safeguard the future of the third year medical student at Cardiff University.

Other bone marrow clinics are being planned in Dorset including a clinic at Blandford Army base.

As the battle against the clock continues to find a suitable bone marrow donor for his only daughter, Mr Olver said: "I can't understand why blood donations are not automatically screened to find out whether donors are suitable bone marrow matches.

"I'm sure people who give samples in hospitals and health centres would also be happy to help Michelle and others who need bone marrow donations. Then donor clinics wouldn't be our only hope.

"There is a captive audience out there which we should be tapping into."

Now Mr Olver is planning to lobby the support of local MPs in the hope that the Blood Transfusion Service will help find potential bone marrow donors.

He said: "Apart from getting tired because she is a bit anaemic, Michelle is a normal 20 year old who loves going out with friends.

"Her medication is keeping her condition at bay but, as time passes, the need for a bone marrow transplant becomes more urgent."

Various fund-raising events are being planned for the Anthony Nolan Trust, which helps match donors with sufferers of bone marrow diseases such as leukaemia.

Staff at Bournemouth's Nuffield Hospital will be holding a disco party on October 23.

First published: Oct 4