THE decision to close Liverpool coastguard station was greeted with anger and incomprehension by workers at the base.

A senior officer at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency travelled from its Southampton HQ to the Crosby site yesterday to brief staff on what the decision meant for them.

Crosby employs more than 20 people in its operations room, mainly watch officers and watch managers.

Brian George, Liverpool branch chairman of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, said: “There’s a lot of anger over the decision.

“We are going to fight it and do our utmost to keep this station open.

“Many thousands of people rely on our coastline for their livelihood, and on coastguard services for their safety. We fail to see how reducing coastguard services enhances our search and rescue capability.

“We need enough staff in the operations room with local knowledge to provide adequate cover. Without that, lives will be put at risk.”

Mr George added: “There are a lot of people who are settled here and can’t up sticks and move somewhere else, especially if they rely on two incomes.

“Ten years ago the Liverpool coastguard centre was earmarked for closure, and we had a long campaign to save it. If it was wrong to close it then, it’s still wrong now.”

The PCS union’s general secretary, Mark Serwotka, said: “We pay tribute to our coastguard members and people in their communities who have fought so hard to defend what is a vital public service.

“This fight is not over. We are committed to ensuring we retain the local knowledge of our coastlines that is essential to saving lives, as we are determined to defend all public services and our communities from the Government’s cuts.”