SOUTH Dorset MP Richard Drax urged the under secretary of state for transport Stephen Hammond to visit Portland in the fight to save the Portland Coastguard helicopter.

Mr Drax said the minister told him he would consider the request to visit the county and talk to people including the RNLI, coastguards, Coastwatch, the RYA and those involved in shipping.

Mr Drax said: “I put all my arguments to the under secretary of state and asked him to visit Portland.

“He said he will get back to me in the next couple of weeks.

“There is a wealth of knowledge invested and expertise invested in the Portland helicopter and the minister needs to hear it for himself.”