MP Andrew George has welcomed the government’s announcement that it had dropped the proposal to cut the hours of the Falmouth Rescue Coordination Centre.

Falmouth will continue to operate on a 24-hour basis as present.

Mr George said: “I congratulate all who have campaigned to change the government's mind and secure this outcome. I'm also pleased that the Falmouth MP has changed her mind after initially supporting the government's proposed cut.

“Falmouth provides a vital rescue coordination service to the Western Approaches and is internationally renowned for its skill in handling maritime rescue and other incidents worldwide.”

Celebrations by Falmouth’s coastguards were bittersweet, however, due to the news that the centre in Brixham is to close.

At present Falmouth and Brixham are 'paired' so that if one station goes down with a communication failure the other centre is capable of taking over.

Mr George added: “The government now needs to demonstrate that with the loss of the station at Brixham, resilience can be retained.”