THE number of Scots donating organs has increased by 74% in five years.

Figures show there were 94 donors last year compared to 54 in 2007/8, with 285 Scots receiving life-saving transplants, a rise of 36%.

And the Evening Times Opt Out campaign has been praised for its part in the surge in donations.

The Scottish Government said 41.1% of the population is now on the organ donor register, the highest of any UK country.

The statistics, released today by NHS Blood and Transplant, also show a UK-wide increase of 50%, a target set by the Organ Donation Taskforce in 2008.

Michael Matheson, minister for public health, welcomed the increase in donation rates, describing it as a "landmark achievement" for Scotland.

However he stressed that 600 Scots were still waiting for a transplant and said "we can and must do more to help them".

The Evening Times is campaigning for an opt-out system of organ donation where everyone is considered a donor, but the right to say no is respected.

Major charities including the British Heart Foundation and Kidney Research UK, and the British Medical Association believe it is the most efficient way to drive up donation rates.

Dr Sue Robertson, a member of the BMA's Scottish Council and a renal physician, said: "BMA Scotland is delighted that there has been a 74% increase in Scots donating organs since recommendations were set by the Organ Donation Taskforce in 2008.

"The whole transplant community has worked tremendously hard to achieve this with significant support from the Scottish Government.

"The Evening Times must also be congratulated for its role in raising awareness of the issues and for encouraging people to sign up to the register.

"However, we agree with the chairwoman of the Organ Donation Taskforce, Elisabeth Buggins, that more can be done and more lives can be saved."

The Scottish Government said the number of living donations and living donor transplants had also increased significantly.

Mr Matheson said: "I am delighted that Scotland has delivered a 74% increase in organ donation and I would like to thank the many NHS staff who have worked tirelessly to make this possible.

"Reaching this increase is a landmark achievement."

caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk