A BID to fight any move to scrap the Portland coastguard helicopter has been launched by two councillors.

Worried campaigners fear an axing of the service would mean Dorset being covered by a helicopter based at Lee-on-Solent in Hampshire - putting lives at risk through the extra travelling time.

Weymouth and Portland borough councillors Paul Kimber and Tim Woodcock, who represent Underhill and Tophill West respectively, are now urging the public and local businesses to show their support for the helicopter staying on the island.

They are planning to work with South Dorset MP Jim Knight to try and ensure the helicopter remains at its current base on the former air station site on Portland.

The speculation began after the Dorset Echo broke the news that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) could be preparing to transfer the service to Lee-on-Solent.

Local campaigner Maria Wakeley has set up a petition calling for the helicopter to stay at Portland and Councillors Kimber and Woodcock say it is vital the service remains on the island.

"You cannot gamble with maritime safety and if the Government thinks we are just going to accept the coastguard possibly moving to Lee-on-Solent then they have got another thing coming," said Coun Kimber, who was a key figure in the fight to save Portland Naval Base.

He said he had spent three days trying to discover if the rumours about the axing were true, but he was unable to get any clarification on the helicopter's future.

"It is absolutely vital that local people and organisations give their views to Jim Knight so he can tell the Government of the strong opposition there is in the area for any moves to scrap it," he added.

Coun Woodcock said: "There are more people using the waters off Weymouth and Portland than ever before because of the boom in water sports and I'm concerned that more lives would be put in danger if the coastguard was moved to Lee-on-Solent."

A previous campaign to stop the service moving was successful in 1999 but the pair are worried the Government may force through the change and Dorset could end up playing second fiddle to other parts of the south coast.

"My message to people would be to not let the helicopter disappear without a fight. The coastguard is a vital service and if it was to move it would be a disaster," said Coun Kimber.

Mr Knight said he would be visiting the air station site next week to discuss with staff the role the service plays in the area.

He added that, at the same time, a meeting was scheduled between the MCA and the South West Regional Development Agency about future plans for the coastguard.

"My concern is to make sure that we have a first class coastguard service for what is a very busy part of the coast. I would then like to see the continuing development of Portland," he added.

An MCA spokesman said: "We are in discussions with contractors and other organisations about the future helicopter base provision for the Lyme Bay area and no decisions have been taken."