hospital this week -- because doctors were hungry for blood.

Senior medics called the Bermuda Police Service on Wednesday morning asking for officers to help make up a shortfall of B-positive and O-positive blood groups.

Police radioed to all units that officers with the blood types should report to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

But a spokeswoman for the hospital said stocks were back at the required level within minutes.

She added that some officers even had to be turned away.

Kendaree Burgess Fairn said: "We were about 15 or 20 pints short but we actually had more officers turning up than were needed.

"Blood is used constantly throughout the hospital for various reasons and the Blood Donor Centre often sends these appeals out to maintain an adequate supply. The Police Department and the banks actually have lists of employees' blood types so we sometimes call them to ask for help.'' She said a general public appeal was not needed because the hospital was short of only a few types of blood.

A Police spokeswoman said: "We are always happy to respond in these cases and we are proud that our officers continue to show this level of commitment to the community.'' HOSPITAL HOS