MORE than 6,700 people have joined the Echo’s campaign to bring a coastguard supercentre to the area.

Since the campaign was launched just over three weeks ago 6,737 people have signed the petition to site the supercentre in the borough rather than in Southampton or Portsmouth.

Under new plans from the Government and the Maritime and coastguard Agency, Portland Coastguard station along with eight others would be axed.

The station on Weymouth Harbourside coordinates the rescue response across the Jurassic Coast and directs resources including the search and rescue helicopter, coastguard rescue teams and the RNLI lifeboats.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council submitted a plan to the government to site the supercentre in the borough earlier this year for the first consultation period and will be soon submitting a new plan for when the second consultation period closes on October 6.

Chairman of the management committee for the borough council Mike Goodman said he was delighted by people’s response to the campaign. He said: “That’s fantastic.

“The borough council really appreciates the support that we’re getting from the Echo and the general public in supporting this campaign.

“We recognise through our action development plans the need for a year round employment and reasonable wage levels.”

He added: “I’m very pleased with the number of signatures it really is a worthwhile campaign. There’s significant advantages for us and the coastguard – all we have to do is persuade them to look at the area.”

Councillor Tim Munro said that the borough had a lot to offer.

He said: “I support the campaign. It’s disappointing that we will lose the local office but the new supercentre should come here. We have the Olympics and we are right in the centre of the leisure industry.

“The borough would be a good choice for the supercentre. We have the local knowledge and we have the offices they could use.

“The Olympics will be bringing in better broadband and IT.”

He added: “The advantage we have is that the community is quite small and if we get together we can show the government we have a voice.”

Readers can join the campaign in a number of different ways including via Facebook – search for Portland Coastguard – Save Our LifesaversSave Our Lifesavers – or by following links from the Dorset Echo Facebook page.

The petition is available to download from the Echo website – or fill out the coupon and send it to the office at the Granby Industrial Estate in Weymouth or the Dorchester office in Antelope Walk.

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

To read more Echo stories about the Save Our Lifesavers campaign visit dorsetecho.co.uk/campaigns /save_our_lifesavers