BRENTWOOD’S blood donor centre closed on Tuesday, despite huge public backing of the facility.

The NHS Blood and Transplant board decided in May last year the centre, in Crescent Drive, would shut– just a year after it was saved.

The closure means a loss of jobs for 23 of the 26 workers at the centre, with the NHS saying most have taken voluntary redundancy.

The nearest platelet donation centre will now be Cambridge, 50 miles away.

Donors see it as a vital resource because it enables local people to donate blood platelets, via a process called apheresis, which takes only certain components from the blood.

These are then used to help new-born babies, children, people going through chemotherapy and people with some complex illnesses.

A petition last year gathered more than 1,000 signatures in the hope of keeping the centre. Donors and staff gathered at the centre on Tuesday last week for a leaving party.

Donor Stephen Smith, who was at the party, said the decision to close the centre was “nonsensical”.

He added: “There was a lot of feeling and emotion from donors and staff, but despite it being a long, tiring and emotional day for the staff, they were still back at work the following day for the donors, and in turn those who need the products they harvest and have done for the last 50 years.”

Jane Pearson, from the NHS Blood and Transplant board, said: “I want to thank all the people who have donated blood and platelets at Brentwood Donor Centre.

“I also appreciate the loyalty and commitment shown by the staff who have been affected by our very difficult decision to close the donor centre.”

Whole blood donation sessions are held at a number of venues, including Mountnessing Village Hall.