SOUTH Dorset MP Richard Drax is calling for people to unite to get a debate called in the House of Commons to save Portland helicopter.

Mr Drax is supporting an e-petition on the government’s e-petition website to Save the Portland Coastguard helicopter.

He urged people to sign and said that if it reached 100,000 signatures, then there was a good chance it would force a debate on the issue in Parliament.

He said that campaigners should co-ordinate their efforts and encouraged people to sign the e-petition even if they had signed others before.

He said: “While I completely support the petition that’s currently running in the constituency, can I also urge those that have signed that petition, and have access to a computer, to sign up to the government site too.”

You can sign the petition by visiting the e-petition site and searching for Save the Portland Coastguard helicopter, or go to epetitions.direct. gov.uk/petitions/ 30225.