Supermodel Naomi Campbell has vowed to return to Brazil as a blood donor - after she was unable to give blood to support the fight against disease.

The star traveled to the South American country on Monday planning to donate blood and raise awareness of the mosquito-borne disease which has infected 55,000 people in Brazil and killed 67.

But Campbell’s offer of giving blood was turned down because of surgery she had in the Brazilian city of Sao Paolo in February to have a cyst removed.

She told reporters, "Unfortunately I cannot give my blood to Rio… but I will be back, for sure."