GRIEVING friends of a young heart transplant patient who has died have organised a mass organ donor drive in his honour.

Tributes have been paid to David Lloyd, 28, from Rutherglen, who died, days after celebrating the ninth anniversary of his heart transplant.

Scores of David's friends have signed up to the organ donor register since his death on Friday and are urging others on Facebook and Twitter to do the same, using the hashtag ?#?sayidonate.

David, a former pupil at Stonelaw High School, was born with a congenital heart defect which meant his heart was the wrong way round.

He was put on the heart transplant list at the age of 19 after he suffered two strokes and heart failure in the space of a few months.

David studied acting and performing at Glasgow’s Nautical College before moving south, where he gained a BA Honours degree in acting at Hull School of Performing Arts. He later settled in Manchester.

David's younger Laura Lloyd, who lives in Rutherglen, posted: "He was an absolute diamond of a guy and was truly loved by everyone. Sleep tight gorgeous. Your baby sis will never forget you."

Natalie Afaty posted: "After receiving a heart Transplant 9 years ago he lived his life to the full. He made me want to register years ago and hope you do too, f it saves another persons life to let them live a life like David."

Melissa Jai Butterworth posted: "David Lloyd you have been so inspirational, I'm so lucky to have known you and been friends, you were always more than a work colleague. And knowing just how important this is to you, I'm hoping one day I get to change some bodies (sic) life, just like you."

Stephen Walker posted: "This has always been something I have said I would be scared do but I have done this for David Lloyd as i no it would be something he would love from us all. such a inspiration and a great friend iIwill miss dearly."

Friends and relatives gathered in his home city to light lanterns for David earlier this week.

In the years after his transplant David urged the public to sign up as organ donors.

He said: "It's not something I’d ever thought about before the transplant, but from meeting other people in the clinic, you can see what a difference it has made to their lives."

To sign up to the register go to https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-to-donate/