A NEW national memorial to organ donors is to be created in Scotland.

The new statue will replace an existing memorial, a wooden loveseat in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery.

The Scottish Government revealed plans for the memorial, which will be designed as a lasting tribute to organ and tissue donors who have helped others to live after their own death.

Scottish artist Alec Finlay has been commissioned to create the piece, which will be sited in Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden.

Mr Finlay will work closely with donor families, organ recipients and healthcare professionals as he develops the new memorial.

Sandra Ward, who donated her 11-year-old daughter Rachel's organs after her early death, welcomed the new memorial.

She said: "Having a national memorial to recognise and remember all those who, in death, were able to give the greatest gift of all -that of life - is very important."