An Epsom man who gave the gift of life has been honoured in death after his donated organs save the lives of others.

Peter Baxter, 63, was given the Order of St John award for Organ Donation at a ceremony on Tuesday, October 13.

He collapsed from a brain aneurysm in July 2014 and died in Charing Cross Hospital three weeks later. His organs were used to transform the lives of three other people.

His wife Anne and sons Matt and Richard attended the ceremony, which was run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant.

Mrs Baxter, who is also registered as an organ donor, said: "When I look back on the last 36 hours of his life, I know that the kindness shown to us by the donor team nurses helped my family to understand what a marvellous thing Peter had agreed to do.

"One of the last things I did for Peter was to give my consent to the donations. It was a wonderful thing and I’ll always be very proud of both of us."

Between April 2014 and March 2015, the number of deceased organ donors in the UK dropped for the first time in 11 years. Despite this fall, the Order of St John honours the 1,282 people in the UK who donated their organs after death, leading to thousands of patients' lives being saved or transformed.

Others honoured at Tuesday’s ceremony included Richard Curtis. His father John, who lives in Worcester Park, mother Jennie and sister Georgina accepted the award on his behalf.

Ann Cable, a member of the London County Priory Group of the Order of St John, organised the London ceremonies with NHS Blood and Transplant.

She said: "With around three people dying every day due to the shortage of organs, these donors and their families have carried out an inspirational act to help others to live.

"We hope the example they have set will encourage many more to follow in their footsteps and agree to become an organ donor."

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 2323.