NORTH Devon MP Nick Harvey has joined organisers of an internet Facebook campaign against cuts in the search and rescue service at RMB Chivenor.

Mr Harvey and online campaign organisers Bob and Judith Thompson lobbied Downing Street in person last Thursday.

Plans to scrap overnight helicopter cover at Chivenor from 2012 have prompted a strong reaction.

"It is very encouraging how the whole of North Devon has rallied behind this cause," said Mr Harvey.

"We have to signal to the Government that future search and rescue provision has to be right from the very word go.

"People's lives are at stake."

More than 14,000 signatures objecting to the Government's planned restructuring of search and rescue services have been collected.