CAMPAIGNERS have said they are ‘bereft’ after their fight to site a coastguard supercentre in Weymouth and Portland was sunk.

Shipping minister Mike Penning has told South Dorset MP Richard Drax there is no chance of locating the supercentre in this area.

Mr Drax was given the bad news by Mr Penning after giving an impassioned speech in Westminster Hall yesterday.

He spoke at Westminster Hall after he joined campaigners to hand in a petition of 22,000 signatures to 10 Downing Street to persuade the government to build a Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) in this area.

The Save Our Lifesavers campaign, which was run by the Echo and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, saw people take to the streets in a walk of support for Portland Coastguard, which will be axed under government cost-cutting plans.

Conceding defeat in the campaign, Mr Drax said: “I’m deeply disappointed that we’re not going to have the MOC in South Dorset.

“Mr Penning said he isn’t happy with reopening the consultation for a third time.

“I think if it’s going to save money and be a better option it should be re-opened.”

Mr Drax said he was told that Mr Penning has always said the supercentre should be in the Solent area.

“I’m disappointed that Mr Penning didn’t give any reasons.

“We were flying a kite to see if they would change their minds and we wanted to tell them that we could save them millions.

“But it was a fat ‘no’ from him.”

Mr Penning said he wished to thank the supporters of the Echo and Weymouth and Borough Council campaign.

He said: “I would like to congratulate all the campaigners involved with this proposal.

“The work involved in bringing the issue to Westminster has been huge.

“Along with all those who did so much, I am deeply disappointed.”

Council leader Mike Goodman said he was grateful to the public and our sister publication, the Dorset Echo, for getting behind the campaign.

“I would have liked this to be a flagship campaign and I don’t want to fully give up until they have a topping out ceremony for the new place.

“We’ve done a lot of work for this as a council that hasn’t been in vain.

“We will be better placed to express an interest in bids that come forward for people who want to invest in the area,” he said.

Campaigner and Portland town councillor Sandy West said she felt sorry for the 25 coastguards who are based at Weymouth harbourside.

She said: “It’s big upheaval for them and it’s a shame because they are all so skilled.

“What are they going to do now, work in a supermarket stacking shelves?

“I’m just devastated and bereft hearing this has happened after all the work that all the campaigners have put in.

“It’s not as though we’ve been campaigning for a zebra crossing.

“Thousands of lives will be affected by this decision.”