THE Government yesterday announced a vastly slimmed-down operation will survive at Merseyside’s closure-threatened coastguard station.

Transport minister Mike Penning confirmed Holyhead rather than the Crosby station will be in charge of coordinating rescues in the Irish Sea and Liverpool Bay.

But he signalled one dedicated search and rescue team and a marine office to handle training issues will survive at the Merseyside premises.

It will also have an unmanned coastal communication hub and a radio mast.

Mr Penning did not spell out how many posts will remain but insisted that local knowledge – a key factor in the uproar over Coastguard cutbacks – will not be lost.

He also dismissed “scare stories” suggesting the lives of seafarers, pleasure craft crews, swimmers and coastal walkers will be put at risk.

Under pressure from Merseyside MPs yesterday, he said: “The marine functions in the Liverpool area will be enhanced, not diminished.

“We will have more trainers, more volunteers and the public will have an enhanced service.”