THEY are known for having the gift of the gab.

Now Glasgow cabbies are encouraging the public to have a chat....about organ donation.

Glasgow Taxis Ltd staff have backed a government campaign urging Scots to make their organ donation wishes known and help the 550 people currently waiting on a transplant.

Statistics show family members are twice as likely to agree for donation to proceed if they know it's what a loved one would have wanted. By saying the seven words, "I'd like to be an organ donor", up to seven lives can be saved.

The company is also a firm backer of the Evening Times' Opt for Life campaign, which aims to introduce an opt-out system in Scotland, where everyone is considered to be a donor but the right to say no is respected.

Glasgow MSP Anne McTaggart is driving forward a member's bill calling for the change, which charity leaders believe is the best way to drive up donation rates.

Research shows that almost half of people in Scotland (45%) haven't discussed their organ donation wishes with their family, and one in ten (12%) of those who are on the NHS Organ Donor Register haven't spoken to loved ones about their decision.

Stephen Flynn, vice chairman of Glasgow City Taxis Ltd, said: "It's fair to say our staff enjoy a good blether with their passengers and we pride ourselves on the welcome we give our customers. If those who support organ donation can use their chat to help spread an important message and get people talking, then we're more than happy to add their voices to the campaign.

"It seems like a small thing that makes a very big difference. If everyone who supports organ donation made the time for a chat, more lives could be saved.

"We are also supporting Anne McTaggart's bill to introduce an opt-out system."

Since 2010/11, the family authorisation rate for organ donation - when a family member agrees that donation can proceed - has increased from 57.1% to 61.6% If the rate was to further increase to 80%, around 90 more lives could be saved each year.

Iain Craig, a driver, from Robroyston, said: "The organs are no use to you when you are dead.

"I think everyone should be automatically put on the register."

Gillian Blair, 45, from Bearsden, received a kidney and pancreas transplant in December 2011.

She said: "I was overwhelmed with gratitude to my donor and to their family who agreed to donation going ahead at what must have been an incredibly difficult time for them. If it wasn't for my donor, I might not be here today.

"It's so important to discuss organ donation with your loved ones so they know how you feel about it. It's not an easy conversation to have, but it means that should they ever need to make that decision, they can honour your wishes."

People can find out more and joint he NHS Organ Donor Register at organdonationscotland.org