Thomas Edgerton-Carter, 58, of Victoria Road, first started giving blood when he was 18, and has been doing so for the past 44 years.
He said: "I thought it was a good idea It seemed a great thing to do to be able to save people's lives."
Mr Edgerton-Carter, who donates blood at three-monthly intervals, plans to continuing giving blood until he is 70, providing he remains in good health.
For the past 15 years, he has been going up to London's West End to give blood in Oxford Street where the National Blood Service centre is open five days a week.
The loyal blood donor also encourages others to give blood.
He said: "I don't always get a response. But I shall always keep on trying to ask people to give."
Mr Edgerton-Carter was presented with a gilt-edged designed Wedgewood plate at a ceremony in London recently.
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