A DOCTOR has given a clean bill of health to the Save Our Lifesavers campaign.

Weymouth doctor Steve Bick says the borough should stand a fighting chance in the battle to build a coastguard supercentre in this area.

Weymouth resident Dr Steve Bick is calling for the government to site a Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) in Weymouth and Portland because he says it is a desirable site.

Coastguards will be asked to relocate to whichever part of the country the supercentre is built in.

If successful, the campaign would bring around 70 skilled jobs to the area to join the 25 positions already held by Portland Coastguard officers.

Save Our Lifesavers campaigners say the area’s favourable health profile should help the campaign.

They hope that its health statistics will tip the balance in its favour to bring the coastguard supercentre to Dorset instead of Hampshire.

Dr Bick said: “I fully support the campaign to locate the Coastguard headquarters in the area. I think Dorset is a great place to live and the environment is healthy here.

“There’s plenty of nice fresh air and obesity levels are lower.

“People are more aware of their weight and plenty of them take the opportunity to exercise.”

Dorchester resident Dr Bick, who works at the Dorchester Road surgery in Weymouth, said the area has strong pulling power for families who would have to relocate as a result of Coastguard modernisation. He added: “I think most families in this area enjoy a good family life. There are good schools and good sporting facilities.”

A spokesman for NHS Dorset said the English Public Health Observatories show that the health of people in Dorset is generally better than the England average.

She added: “The health of people in West Dorset is generally better than the England average.

“Deprivation is lower than average and life expectancy for both men and women is higher than the England average.”

l The government plans to close the Coastguard control room at Weymouth harbourside and is yet to decide where the supercentre that will handle Coastguard communications is to be based.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council is compiling a proposal for the Maritime Operations Centre to be built here, not in the Solent.

Together with the council, the Echo is holding a Walk of Support for Portland coastguards on Saturday, September 3, from Weymouth Pavilion at 11am and would like as many people as possible to join us.

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 the office at the Granby Industrial Estate in Weymouth or the Dorchester office in Antelope Walk.

Readers can request a copy by calling 01305 830999.