WEYMOUTH harbourside staff have shown their support for the Echo campaign to site a new coastguard supercentre in Weymouth and Portland.

With over 1,120 people now signed up to the campaign and the numbers swelling all the time online and on the Portland Coastguard – Save Our Lifesavers Facebook page, the community has been showing its support.

Shops, businesses and restaurants on Brewers Quay in Weymouth have been getting residents and holiday makers to sign the petition and show their support for the new supercentre.

At the moment the Maritime and Coastguard Agency are in the second phase of consultation on plans to modernise the coastguard service.

Under new plans Portland Coast-guard and eight others would be axed. A new supercentre would be created and the proposals suggest Southampton or Portsmouth as a location, but that is not set in stone.

Traders have thrown their weight behind the campaign and said that they want the new supercentre in the borough.

Shop Assistant Jacqui Winner from Londis on Trinity Street said that she couldn’t even comprehend the government taking the coastguard away.

She said: “It’s a busy harbour, we need the coastguard.

“When they go out the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. We need the station. I don’t even know how they can comprehend it.”

She added: “I think the campaign is fantastic, all the shops are backing it.

“We need to promote it because we are on the harbourside edge.

“We have been asking everyone to sign.”

Manager of the Seagull Cafe Ginnine Lagerwaard said that having the coastguards so integrated into the town was reassuring for parents with young children.

Mrs Lagerwaard, who was born and bred in Weymouth, said: “I have young children and it’s a good idea to have lifesavers around the harbour. We can’t live without them.”

She added: “I think the idea of having a coastguard supercentre in the borough is absolutely amazing.

“I hope the campaign is successful. The coastguards aren’t just for our children but for tourists as well, especially with the Olympics and Paralympics coming up.”

Readers can join the campaign in a number of different ways including via Facebook by searching for Portland Coastguard – Save Our Lifesavers or by following links from the Dorset Echo Facebook page.

The petition is available to download from the Dorset Echo website and readers can fill in the coupon below and send it in or drop it into the office at the Granby Industrial Estate in Weymouth or to our Dorchester office in Antelope Walk.

Readers can request a paper copy of the petition by calling Catherine Bolado on 01305 830985.