A STAGGERING 8,710 signatures have been collected so far for our Save Our Lifesavers campaign.

The call to site a Coastguard Supercentre in the area is attracting an unprecedented amount of support, as the countdown to the Walk of Support on Saturday, September 3 continues.

Campaigners have been blown away by the messages of goodwill that have come from people in the community who have signed the e-petition and paper copies of the petition.

And readers have signed hundreds of Echo coupons to show their support for Portland Coastguards.

Borough councillor Kate Wheller said pages of signatures have been collected at her village shop in Wyke Regis.

The campaign has universal appeal, she said.

She added: “I think the support has been terrific and everyone has really got behind the campaign. They see the value of the coastguard supercentre being sited here for so many reasons.

“Everyone is so enthusiastic.”

Under a cost-cutting move, Portland Coastguard station on Weymouth Harbourside will close and 26 skilled coastguards will have to find new jobs or relocate.

But Weymouth and Borough Council officers are compiling a proposal that could bring a new modernised coastguard supercentre to the area. It would also provide an extra 70 skilled jobs.

Coun Wheller said winning the campaign would give the young people in the borough many more options.

“There’s been a bit of talk about legacies these days. People poo-poo the idea of a legacy, but the only way legacies grow is by people supporting things. We are the people who make the legacy.

“This is a tangible way for people to support the place where they live. What we are hoping for is to bring skilled jobs here,” she said. Coun Wheller urged young people who collected their A-level or AS level results yesterday to support the campaign.

She said: “We need good quality jobs for these youngsters so they stay in the area and don’t move away. For generations, young people when they finished their A-levels would move away.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if the youngsters who have got their exams signed the petition and came along and did the Walk of Support with us?”

l The Walk of Support starts at Weymouth Pavilion at 11am on Saturday, September 3.

l See more information on our Facebook page by searching for Portland Coastguard – Save Our Lifesavers or follow 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 us. Request a paper copy by calling 01305 830999.

l Have you been saved by Portland Coastguard or know anyone who has?

If so, call the Dorset Echo newsdesk on 01305 830999 or email newsdesk@dorsetecho .co.uk