HUNDREDS of people have signed up to the Echo’s campaign to bring a new coastguard supercentre to Weymouth and Portland.

In just a couple of days nearly 600 people have signed up to the petition to convince the government and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to site a new coastguard supercentre in the borough.

The campaign was launched after new proposals from the government announced that Portland Coastguard was to be axed by 2014.

The centre on Weymouth harbourside co-ordinates the rescue response of the coastguard rescue teams, the search and rescue helicopter and the RNLI lifeboats.

The Echo launched the campaign on Saturday and we have already received 570 signatures to our petition, with more coming in all the time.

An online campaign site has been launched on social networking website Facebook called Portland Coastguard – Save Our Lifesavers.

Readers have been logging on and signing up for all the latest campaign news.

The online petition received 138 signatures in just over a day.

Reporter Joanna Davis who has been working on the project said that the response from the community had been overwhelming.

She said: “It’s fantastic. We have been overwhelmed by the response we have had from our readers, who obviously feel strongly enough about the situation to bombard us with petitions and messages of goodwill for the coastguards.

“We want as many people as possible to sign up to the petition and Facebook group.”

She added: “Facebook is a fantastic hub for showing your support for the campaign, which has gone from strength to strength in just a few days.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support so far and encourage readers to download the petition and hand it out to friends, family and neighbours and get it signed. Also look out for the petition in and around the borough in shops, bars and tea-rooms.”

Readers can join the Facebook group by searching for Portland Coastguard – Save Our Lifesavers in the task bar or by following links from the Dorset Echo Facebook page.

The petition is available to download from the Dorset Echo website and readers can fill in the coupon below and send it in or drop it into the office at the Granby Industrial Estate in Weymouth or to our Dorchester office in Antelope Walk.

Readers can request a paper copy of the petition by calling Catherine Bolado on 01305 830985.