MINISTERS have confirmed plans to close eight coastguard co-ordination centres around the UK, including Portland.

The station, which is based on Weymouth harbourside, will be axed by the end of March 2015.

The new supercentre for the south will be based in Fareham, Hampshire and not Southampton or Portsmouth as previously thought.

Shipping minister Mike Penning insisted the changes would result in a "modernised, nationally networked, fully resilient" service.

The Dorset Echo led a Save Our Lifesavers campaign arguing the supercentre should be sited in the borough.

It was backed by a 22,000 signature petition which was delivered to 10 Downing Street.