SCORES of people have come forward following an appeal for volunteers to man a coastguard lookout station at Hengistbury Head.

A total of 75 people have offered their services and will receive training from the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI).

Until the lookout is ready, a temporary lookout point will be established at the Southbourne beach office near the Bistro on the Beach restaurant, which will be officially opened by Cllr Eddie Coope on Sunday June 3.

Following the opening, there will be a sponsored walk to raise funds for the project. It will start at 11am.

No date has yet been set for the opening of the lookout, where volunteers will support HM Coastguard.

The NCI was established in 1994 to help HM Coastguard following the closure of many lookout stations around the UK coastline.

Around the same time a number of lighthouses became unmanned and lightships were removed.

Acting station manager Brian Roberts said he is looking forward to the re-opening of the station and hopes a large number of people will take part in the sponsored walk.

He said Hengistbury Head provides the opportunity for volunteers to keep a lookout from Barton-on-Sea in the east, through Christchurch and Poole Bays and 12 miles out to sea.

The National Coastwatch Institution provides cover every day from 8am until dusk, except Christmas Day. Between 80 and 90 volunteers will be needed at Hengistbury Head.

As well as looking out to sea, those who take up the positions will also act as an emergency contact point for walkers on the Head.

Anyone else who is interested in getting involved should email HengistburyHeadNCI@gmail.com or go to nci.org.uk