MORE than 600 people signed a petition backing the Chivenor campaign — in just two hours — at Sainsbury's in Barnstaple on Friday.

North Devon MP Nick Harvey, campaign leader Bob Thompson and his daughter Judith, who set up a Facebook support group, were overwhelmed by support.

The Facebook group now has over 11,000 supporters and

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coupons are still flying in, with the total now standing at more than 1,300.

Mr Harvey said that it was now unlikely that a contract for the Search and Rescue helicopters would be awarded before the General Election.

Under current MoD proposals the 24-hour service would be reduced to 12-hour cover, meaning that night-time emergencies would have to be covered by the next nearest stations — at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, RAF Valley on Anglesey in North Wales or by the MCA base at Lee on Solent.

Claims that new, faster helicopters would make up for the time delays have been rubbished by campaigners who stress that in the case of a double emergency Culdrose could not deploy to two places at once.

They also point out that speedier craft may mean less space for equipment and rescue victims.

Mr Harvey said: "There are two main bidding consortiums left in the race, so in the next few weeks they may indicate the preferred bidder and get down to the nitty-gritty of a contract.

"But I think we have thrown enough of a spanner in the works with this campaign, for it to be unlikely that a contract will be signed before the election, that's certainly the feeling I am getting, having spoken to both consortiums."

And he said there was still hope for a turn around: "Without wanting to count chickens, the hope is that an incoming minister, who is not Labour, would be able to review the whole situation and not lose face by climbing down."