WEYMOUTH’S Carnival Queen contestants have joined the fight to site a coastguard supercentre in the borough.

The Echo’s campaign has gone from strength to strength since being launched three weeks ago.

It is calling for the government and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to look at siting a new coastguard supercentre in the area instead of putting it in Southampton or Portsmouth.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council has already sent a proposal to the government suggesting several potential sites in the area and will soon be submitting another plan.

Portland Coastguard station on Weymouth Harbourside, that coordinates rescue operations along the South coast from Exmouth to the Hampshire border, is facing the axe by 2014 under new government plans. Together with eight other Coastguard stations around the UK its operations would be absorbed into the new supercentre.

Sarah Flann, Lucy Compton and Jessica Miller, who are all hoping to be crowned this year’s carnival queen, have thrown their support behind the campaign.

Former Budmouth and Thomas Hardye schoolgirl Jessica, 18, said that she was concerned about what would happen if the Coastguard station was moved from the area.

She said: “I’ve signed the petition. They would be moving it so far away. I think the campaign’s a good idea.

“I’m concerned there won’t be as many lives saved if they move it so far away. I think the supercentre would be a great opportunity for the area.”

Sarah Flann, 26, grew up on Portland watching the rescue helicopter take off on life-saving missions.

She said: “I know how busy it is.

“The coastguard station does a very good job. It would be very positive for the borough to have the station here for local jobs and employment.”

Upwey resident and former All Saints and Thomas Hardye School pupil Lucy Compton, 20, said she was behind the campaign.

She said: “I realise how important it is to have the Coastguards close to home. Having them here is vital as they have a wealth of knowledge about the area.”