THE Dorset Echo Coastguard campaign – which has secured more than 20,000 signatures of support – has been immortalised in sand.

Sculptors at Sandworld at Lodmoor Country Park in Weymouth spent five days turning the 2.4 metre square block of local sand into the Save Our Lifesavers logo.

Co-owners Mark Anderson and David Hicks said they were inspired to create the sculpture as the campaign was so important to the community.

Mr Anderson said: “I’m really pleased with it. The reason we have done it is because it’s a campaign close to both of us.

“For me it’s because we are in a tourist area with 1.5 million visitors and at the moment we have a coastguard with first-hand knowledge of the coast to do immediate lifesaving rescues.

“It seems like they are more concerned with saving money than lives.”

He added: “It’s essentially putting people’s lives in danger.”

The closing date for the petitions is today and sculptor David Hicks urged people to get them in as soon as possible.

He said: “I do sea kayaking and it’s reassuring that someone will know where you are because of the local knowledge.”

The petition will be available for people to sign across the weekend at Sandworld. The Save Our Lifesavers logo will be on display at the entrance of the attraction until Christmas. It has been treated with weather proofing spray to give it protection against the elements.

Mr Anderson’s mum Carol De haan has created a scrapbook of all the Echo articles about the coastguard campaign and all the rescues they have done across the summer.

It will be going with the petition to London to be presented to Ministers.

Mrs De haan said: “I feel very strongly about the campaign. I have grandchildren and I live on Portland and we see how |necessary it is to have the coastguard. It’s absolutely imperative.

“I can’t imagine how we can manage without them.

“I made the book to show the government what the coastguards do every day.”

So far 21,008 signatures have been collected.

The crew of the MV Freedom have been working tirelessly to get signatures, working with both Asda and Morrison’s in Weymouth to set up stalls for people to sign the petition.

In total they have raised 5,000 signatures.

Crewman Mark Bowditch said: “The logo looks brilliant. It’s definately got the wow factor. It’s so realistic.”

Hostess Stella Roper said: “It looks amazing, as soon as you walk in it hits you.

“The 3D is great.”

Make your voice heard

THERE is still time to make your voice heard.

Today is the closing date for the coastguard petitions so make sure you send them back to the Echo as soon as possible.

A final count will be done before they are taken to London.

Send all tokens and petitions to The Dorset Echo, Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9XD.

The consultation is open until October 6. To fill in the consultation document go to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency website at dft.gov.uk/mca