THE fight to save the Portland coastguard helicopter has been given another boost with a debate in the Houses of Commons.

South Dorset MP Richard Drax will hammer home the importance of the aircraft in a debate at Parliament at 12noon on Wednesday December 19.

His application to hold the adjournment debate at the close of business on Wednesday was chosen from a draw.

He said he was looking forward to another chance to hammer home the need to save the Portland-based helicopter.

He said: “I am delighted to be drawn from the hat.

“It gives me another chance to put our case to the Government.

“It is another chance to make them realise that we are not going to give up on this.

“It also gives all of the supporters for retention of the helicopter re-assurance that the pressure is on and that the Government really must listen.

“Not least, now the Transport Select Committee has come back with criticisms on the co-ordination centres.”

Mr Drax spoke on the issue last year in the House of Commons and was recently called to give evidence to the Transport Select Committee about the effect the changes could have.

Mr Drax and his team put together a 12-page document detailing ever single reason the helicopter should stay at the Portland base.

He said it would be 'sheer folly' to take the life-saving service away.

Following the meeting the Transport Select committee chaired by Louise Ellman MP wrote a letter to the Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin stating they were 'surprised and disappointed' by the government's failure to consult the public about closure of Portland and RAF Boulmer in Northumberland.

Mrs Ellman said it was 'not too late' for the government to consult and, if necessary, to change the proposals.

Coastguard campaigners hoping to save both the Portland Helicopter and the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre on Weymouth harbourside also welcomed a follow up report from the Transport Select Committee earlier this month.

In the report, a follow up on how changes to the coastguard were being implemented and their effects, the committee stated that confusion about new coastguard roles, mixed messages about local knowledge and station closures are 'undermining coastguard morale' leading to an 'alarming vacancy rate' amongst coastguard staff. CAMPAIGNERS are urging people to sign up to both a paper petition and an epetition to save the helicopter.

If the petition can reach 100,000 signatures then a debate could be triggered in the House of Commons.

To sign up to the epetition visit http://epetitions. direct.gov.uk/petitions/36619