A petition calling for a new heliport in Penzance has reached more than 10,000 signatures.

It looks to reinstate the helicopter link between the town and the Isles of Scilly, which ended in 2012.

The petition was set up by Samantha Mallon, after the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, which operates the Scillonian ferry and Skybus air links to the islands, began proceedings for a judicial review into Cornwall Council's decision just under a year ago to grant planning permission for a new heliport at Jelbert Way.

As of Tuesday lunchtime, 10,123 people had signed their support for a "stronger transport system that provides resilience, reliability and choice" and called for the other company to withdraw its objections.

The petitions states: "We, the residents, visitors and friends of the Isles of Scilly, object to the actions of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group in seeking to deny us a helicopter service from Penzance.

"Penzance is the only logical site as it suffers less from low cloud and fog than Land's End, is close to transport links and has existing tourist facilities.

"We demand that the directors of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group put islanders first and cease their attempts to prevent a new helicopter service from Penzance."

The planned site for the replacement heliport is close to where the former heliport operated from, at Eastern Green, between 1964 and 2012.

The new helicopter service would fly from Penzance to both St Mary’s and Tresco all year round, with a flight time of around 15 minutes.

However, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group has claimed the decision by Cornwall Council to grant planning permission was flawed and failed to take into account the long-term impact on the island.

It had previously lodged an objection to the planning application, arguing that it had the potential to undermine Land's End Airport if the helicopter link did not result in a growth in traffic, as well as Cornwall Newquay Airport, which already offers a year-round transfer.

It stated: "Isles of Scilly Steamship Group is not seeking to undermine any form of viable or sustained market competition but it can see no credible evidence or detail in the planning proposal regarding how the applicant hopes to deliver its plans without causing considerable damage to existing lifeline services through an attempt to

take sizeable market share of the existing air market."

After reaching the 10,000 signature landmark, the team behind the petition put out a statement thanking those who had given their support, saying on Monday: "We will provide further updates on the project to reinstate helicopter flights to the Isles of Scilly as soon as we are able, but wanted to thank you for your support so far."