The Sea King rescue helicopter is nearing the end of it's natural life.

There has been an angry reaction to the Ministry of Defence's confirmation that it is to review the service and possibly put it out to tender.

The search and rescue units at RMB Chivenor and RNAS Culdrose are among the bases which could be privatised.

The ministry says any decision will be made on what is best value for money for the taxpayer.

It will be a disaster for the fishing industry Mick Mahon, fisherman

The Search and Rescue helicopter at RMB Chivenor has been involved in many incidents off the North Devon and South Wales coasts. Last year it was used to help rescue people caught in the Boscastle flood.

It is one of eight military helicopters which operate around the country, complementing the four helicopters used by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. But the Sea King helicopters are coming to the end of their natural lives and the service could be privatised in future.

The suggestion has outraged some of the region's fishermen.

Mick Mahon, skipper of the Newlyn-based trawler Jay Ann, said: "When I think back 20-odd years to the Fastnet disaster, helicopters were involved in saving a lot of lives.

"I just think back last year to Boscastle, if the helicopters hadn't been available how many lives would have been lost I don't know?"

Local benefit

St Ives MP Andrew George called it a classic 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' scenario.

"The suggestion we should move anything away from the Royal Navy is madness," he said

"It benefits the local community and it benefits the Navy."

At the end of the year, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is likely to announce which company it is contracting to provide its four helicopters from 2007 to 2012.

A committee is looking at the future of both the military and coastguard helicopters after that.

The Ministry of Defence says one option is to have a privately-financed search and rescue service - but it says all options remain open at the moment.