THE Echo led a campaign that saved the helicopter when it was threatened with the axe almost a decade ago.

The then Government’s decision to scrap the search and rescue operation prompted fury in the local community.

Readers united in a show of mass support for the Echo-backed Save Our Lifesavers campaign to keep the search and rescue helicopter at Osprey Quay, by signing a petition opposing plans to move it to Lee-on-Solent.

And a march through the town in July 2002 attracted 1,500 supporters of the search and rescue chopper.

Echo reporter Martin Lea travelled to Westminster to hand over the petition to transport minister David Jamieson.

The campaign was born from fears that plans by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to move the helicopter to Hampshire could put lives at risk along the Dorset coast.

As the campaign gathered pace, it received support from councillors, office workers, sailors and fishermen who all opposed to plans to move the lifesaving service.

Campaigners were able to celebrate victory in the year-long battle which had the backing of then South Dorset MP Jim Knight.

Mr Jamieson said: “The Government has listened very carefully to all the arguments and I am now satisfied that a viable way forward has been found to keep it at Portland.”

'Stupid' move is slammed

RESCUED David O’Donovan was winched to safety by a search and rescue team after he fell 100ft down a quarry on Portland in 1999.

The Portlander, pictured, was knocked unconscious by the fall, which also broke his back and injured his ankle.

He said that axing the local search and rescue team was ‘stupid’.

David, 65, said: “The helicopter can be on the scene within a couple of minutes.

“If the search and rescue team is coming from Lee-on-Solent they won’t have any local knowledge and they won’t have any idea what they’re looking for.

“This is a matter of life and death.

“It’s a silly decision.”