A MAN saved from drowning thanks to the quick response of Portland's search-and-rescue helicopter team has pleaded for the service to be continued.

Andrew Shirley, 20, was swimming with two friends at Durdle Door when he was suddenly swept out to sea by a strong current.

Andrew. a barman and mechanic, from Birmingham, said: "It was too late when we realised how rough it was.

"Two big waves hit me and I was dragged out so quickly, all I could think about was not being able to see my family again."

Andrew, who will be 21 on Monday, added: "I literally did not think I would live to see my next birthday."

Andrew's friends, Tiva Daka, 18, and Andrew Mansell, 20, both from the Midlands, managed to scramble ashore and watched in horror as their pal struggled to stay afloat.

They were later treated for hypothermia.

A passer-by quickly dialled 999 and the search-and-rescue helicopter arrived eight minutes later.

Coastguards winched the exhausted swimmer to safety and flew him to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester, where he was admitted to intensive care but medics declared him fit for discharge the next day.

Andrew said: "It was quite scary and I was not sure I was going to make it.

"When I saw the helicopter I felt such relief.

"I am so grateful to the coastguards and everyone at the hospital for helping to save my life.

"If the helicopter had not come so quickly, I would not be here now to tell the tale."

Mr Shirley was shocked to hear that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency meets on Friday, May 31, to decide whether to transfer Portland's helicopter to Lee-on-Solent in Hampshire.

He made a plea to keep the island-based search-and-rescue helicopter in operation.

He said: "Coastguards said that a helicopter coming from Lee-on-Solent would take at least 30 minutes to get to me and I probably would not have lasted another minute.

"I urge the decision-makers to consider very carefully, because more lives could be lost if Portland lost its helicopter.

"It would be an absolute disgrace if someone like me was to die in vain because the coastguards had further to travel."

An MCA spokesman said: "No decisions have yet been taken."