DOUBTS remained over the future of Merseyside’s coastguard station last night despite a partial U-turn by the Government.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond announced a rethink over the plan to close more than half the life-saving centres along Britain’s coastline yesterday.

But a senior aide insisted no final decision will now be taken until July on whether Crosby or Belfast, or both, will remain open.

Under the original plan, there was to be just five daylight hours-only stations retained, plus two 24-hour national centres in Southampton and Aberdeen.

Under the revised plan, only Southampton will be classified as a national centre – but there will be more sub-stations on the saved list.

The aide said: “There will be one or two stations reprieved and one or two planned to drop to daylight-only will retain 24-hour operations.”

But he refused to say whether Crosby will be among them.

He said Mr Hammond had decided to revise the plans following reports from shipping minister Mike Penning, who over the last few months has visited numerous coastguards, including Crosby.