CAMPAIGNERS delivered a 108,500-signature petition to Number 10 calling on the government to save Portland Coastguard helicopter.

Yesterday’s hand-in was the culmination of 18 months of signature collecting and hard work by campaigners who say the helicopter is ‘vital’ and must stay.

The government plans to axe the helicopter in 2017.

Campaigners Belinda Craig, Debbie Joy, Roger Mac-Pherson, Shelley Cutler, Sandra West, Patricia Joy, Dr Ian Mew and MP Richard Drax delivered the petition.

Mrs Craig’s son Jack was one of the three fishermen who died when the Weymouth boat Purbeck Isle was lost off the Dorset coast in 2012.

Mr Drax paid tribute to all the campaigners for all their hard work.