A DEVASTATING blow has been struck to Dorset after it was announced that the Portland Coastguard helicopter will be axed.

Although it was announced last year the helicopter would be scrapped, campaigners had been holding out hope that they could convince the government to do a U-turn.

The shock news that the current helicopter contract will not be renewed in 2017 came from Secretary of State for Transport Justine Greening in a letter to South Dorset MP Richard Drax.

Miss Greening said after reading objections to the plans: “I remain convinced that the closure of Portland will not increase the overall risk of loss of life in the UK search and rescue region.”

The letter added that there would be 10 helicopter bases around the UK and the solution would provide service enhancements.

Miss Greening concluded: “I understand that my decision to close Portland will disappoint you and your constituents, but I want to be absolutely clear that I would not take a decision to close a search and rescue base lightly.”

Around 20 jobs will be lost from the Portland operation and a helicopter will be dispatched from Lee-on-Solent in Hampshire to handle emergencies in this area.

Despite the devastating news Mr Drax said he would fight on.

He said: “I am bitterly disappointed at this decision, particularly after both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State promised to look again at the matter. It seems short sighted.

“It won’t save much money and I believe it will cost lives. Certainly, we shall fight on.”

Helicopter supporters reacted angrily to the news.

Lucy Walbridge, the mum of Portland schoolgirl Ellie Hills who was airlifted to hospital by the helicopter in appalling weather after being struck down with potentially deadly meningococcal septicemia, lashed out at the decision. She said: “I think it’s disgusting to be honest.”

Campaigner Sandy West agreed and said that she was shocked by the decision.

She said: “It’s absolutely appalling. Why don’t they listen to the voice of the people?”

She added that it would not be the end of the campaign and that the government would come to regret the decision.

She said: “Its folly, utter folly.

“I think they will regret it as soon as it’s gone.”

• The coastguard helicopter proved its worth again when it was scrambled to transfer a gravely ill woman from Wales, to Kings College, London on Tuesday.