A MAN who received a life-saving heart transplant is backing a national campaign encouraging people to discuss their organ donation wishes with loved ones.

Figures show almost half of Scots (45%) haven't discussed their organ donation wishes with family.

Experts believe under an opt-out transplant system it is more likely that wishes will be known because a change in the law will encourage more discussion.

Craig Yuille, 50, from East Kilbride, was placed on the waiting list for a new heart in 2013 after two heart attacks caused irreparable damage to his body.

His life was transformed when a donor heart became available and his transplant went ahead in June 2014.

The call for Scots to have a 'wee chat' about organ donation comes as recent research shows almost half of Scots (45%) haven't discussed their organ donation wishes with their family.

Craig, a retired fireman, suffered his first heart attack in 2009, and four years later was diagnosed with blood clots and was rushed to Hairmyres Hospital.

While undergoing treatment he suffered his second heart attack.

Craig was told his only real hope was a heart transplant and was added to the waiting list.

He was fitted with a defibrillator to regulate his heart. Following a series of tests, he was admitted to the Golden Jubilee, where the transplant successfully went ahead.

He said: "Without knowing it, I was having a good go at killing myself.

"They don't know whether my lifestyle or a hereditary heart problem caused my heart attacks, but I'm extremely grateful for this second chance.

"I had no idea how sick I was until I had the transplant, and it really has turned my life around."

Craig remembers the relief and stunned shock the day he heard that a suitable donor heart had been found and the transplant was going to go ahead.

He said "I'm very grateful to my donor. They put more thought into their life than I ever did before my transplant.

" f I'd been asked, I would have said yes to being an organ donor, but I never did anything about it."

There are currently around 550 people in Scotland waiting on a life-saving transplant.