Plan to cut coastguard 'puts safety at risk'

The UK government has faced renewed calls to abandon a plan to reduce the number of coastguard stations.

Critics warn that the proposals could risk lives and campaigners have secured thousands of signatures opposing such a move.

SNP MSP Alasdair Allan, who secured a debate on the issue at Holyrood, said: "Our vast coastline and all those who work and travel in our seas must be properly protected.

"The coastguard does a vital service to Scotland and the plans to cut the number of coastguard stations, removing local knowledge and risking coastal safety are completely unacceptable."

He called for control to passed to the Scottish Government and urged a rethink of the plan.

Meanwhile, a Save Shetland Coastguard campaign has secured more than 5,000 signatures.

Mike Smith, of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said: "This is brilliant news, the support we're getting is very much appreciated. We would ask that everybody keeps up the pressure though, there is still a long fight ahead of us."

The Tory-Liberal Democrat Government at Westminster is consulting on the proposals to cut the number of coastguard control centres from 18 to eight. This would leave two 24-hour centres, one based in Aberdeen.