INDIA JULIET LIKELY TO STAY PUT

Five years of uncertainty caused by Whitehall dithering about the future of the old airfield used by Coastguard rescue helicopter India Juliet looks like being resolved.

Senior naval base bosses say they are close to clinching a deal which will keep India Juliet and her back-up at the former naval air base at the Daedalus airfield in Lee-on-the-Solent.

The base, which was possibly going to be sold to developers, is now likely to remain in MoD hands, which should guarantee the future of India Juliet for the long term.

The helicopter is responsible for the Solent and the Channel between Dorset and East Sussex, but the coastguards' lease on Daedalus runs out in July 2002.

After a meeting between coastguard and defence estate bosses recently, it is likely that the search-and-rescue service will stay - with a new rescue centre.

Coastguard chiefs are likely to spend upwards of £1m on new facilities for their helicopters, and the aircrafts' crew.