As it emerged today that Nl's top political figures have united to back a beleaguered Co Down coastguard station, the DUP MP Jim Shannon has already been pressing the Prime Minister on the future of Bangor Coastguard Station.

The Strangford MP highlighted to the Prime Minister the important work of the local facility and expressed cross-party concern about its possible closure in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Now, the Stormont First and Deputy First Ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness have visited Bangor coastguard today to call for it to remain open.

A Westminster consultation is under way on the plan to close all but eight of the UK's 18 24-hour centres - including the one at Bangor.

That's even though the coastguard station in Bangor is responsible for initiating land air and sea searches, including inland waters across the whole of Northern Ireland.

Under Westminster proposals five sub-centres would operate only during daylight hours in Swansea, Falmouth, Humber, either Bangor or Liverpool, and Stornoway or Shetland.

Only three 24-hour centres would remain - in Aberdeen, Dover and the Southampton/Portsmouth area.

Yesterday, after Prime Minister's Question Time, the Strangford MP said: "I was pleased that the Prime Minister has at least recognised that there is concern throughout the entirety of the United Kingdom about the plans of the coalition government to cut back on the service provided by the coastguard."

He said that members of the PM's own party who represent coastal constituencies have raised serious concern that the planned closure of stations throughout the UK will put lives at risk in United Kingdom waters.

"I am in no way persuaded that the plans in regard to the coastguard will do anything to keep people safe at sea.

"The DUP has been working with other parties to ensure cross-party co-operation in the fight to save the Bangor Coastguard Station," continued the MP.

"This is no small matter of budget savings: we are talking about people's lives being put at risk. I will continue to work with colleagues in Westminster to press the coalition government to retain this vital local service." he fumed.

This afternoon, the First and Deputy First Ministers expressed their support for the retention of the Belfast Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, which is based at Bregenz House in Bangor.

Speaking after visiting Bregenz House the First Minister said he was concerned at the prospect of the Belfast Coastguard station being closed: "Closing this station will leave Northern Ireland as the only Devolved Administration without a locally-based coastguard service. The closure would not only lead to the loss of 23 full-time jobs, but could also potentially reduce safety levels for both commercial and recreational users of our coasts and seas," said Peter Robinson.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "Our visit here today has left us much better informed about the work of the Belfast Coastguard service and how they carry out their work. There appears to be an over emphasis on new and improved technology in the consultation document and while this is important, this cannot compensate for the detailed knowledge and expertise of local staff on the ground.

"I am concerned also at plans to close the Clyde coastguard station, with whom both Belfast and Malin Head stations have a close working relationship. If both Belfast and Clyde were to close it would leave the north and east coast perilous for the shipping community."

(BMcC/GK)