Campaigners feared that if the Maritime and Coastguard Agency moved the helicopter from Portland in Dorset to Lee-on Solent in Hampshire, it would take longer to respond to emergencies, and lives would be lost.

On Tuesday, shipping minister David Jamieson announced the 'Whiskey Bravo' helicopter, which operates between Hengistbury Head in Dorset to Start Point in Devon, will stay in Dorset.

The economic development of the area is dependent upon the coast...adding half an hour to coastguard response times would have prejudiced that Jim Knight MP

Financial pressures could have forced the coastguard to abandon the site, but now the government has stepped in with a multi-million pound package to enable the base to continue.

Mr Jamieson said: "I am delighted that the long period of uncertainty over the future of the helicopter base at Portland has come to an end.

"The Government has listened very carefully to all the arguments for and against moving the helicopter base and I am now satisfied that a viable way forward has been found to keep the base at Portland."

Jim Knight, MP for Dorset South said: "It's fantastic news for the local area, I've campaigned hard for nine months to keep it here at Portland.

"The economic development of the area is dependent upon the coast, especially tourism, sailing, diving.

"Adding half an hour to coastguard response times would have prejudiced that."