Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to support the introduction of a Holyrood Bill that would change the rules on organ donation.

Labour MSP Anne McTaggart's has secured cross-party support from MSPs for her proposal that would mean consent would be presumed for donations.

It aims to address shortages which it is claimed are costing lives unnecessarily.

When it is introduced to the Scottish Parliament tomorrow (fri), the MSP is hoping that the First Minister and former Health Secretary will give it her support.

The Organ Donation (Scotland) Bill would mean people have to opt out instead of opting in to the organ donation register and Ms Sturgeon has previously indicated she may support it.

It would mean those wishing to become a donor can add their name to the NHS Organ Donation Register.

In total, 22 Labour MSPs, two Lib Dems and one member each from the SNP, Conservatives and Greens have pledged to get behind it.

Member's Bills require the support of 18 MSPs from three parties to get a hearing in the Scottish Parliament.

Ms McTaggart said: "I would like to thank the MSPs of all parties who have signed up to support this life-saving bill.

"I would now encourage those MSPs who have previously indicated that they support a change - including Nicola Sturgeon - to back us and change the lives of those people on organ waiting lists.

"With three people dying every day across the UK, we simply cannot afford to wait any longer on this issue.

"With supporters for this simple change from across the chamber, we have a unique opportunity to take action now."

She added that promotion of organ donation is vital, but on its own it would not deliver the much-needed increase in organs that she said is needed.

Ms McTaggart added: "It represents a shift to a more positive, proactive approach which will save people's lives. In the meantime, people are dying and those left behind are suffering."

The British Heart Foundation has said it could take 13 years to address organ donor shortages without a change to a 'soft opt-out' system.

Presumed consent scheme is due to come into place in Wales from December.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "This Government is committed to continuing to increase donation and transplantation rates in Scotland and continue the success that the Donation and Transplantation Plan for Scotland 2013-2020 is already delivering.

"Thanks to these efforts, the numbers of donors in Scotland have increased significantly and the number of people waiting for a transplant has fallen by 25 per cent in the last seven years.

"Whilst we welcome any debate in relation to the important issues of organ donation and transplant, we do need to examine the evaluation of the impact of opt-out on organ donation on Wales before making a decision on any changes within Scotland."