A Scottish MP has raised concerns over safety levels at the west coast coastguard centre.

Katy Clark, the member of parliament for North Ayrshire and Arran, has revealed that on 428 out of 730 shifts last year, the facility in Belfast was operating below risk-assessed levels.

The Northern Irish centre became the primary operator for the west coast, after the closure of Greenock-based MRCC Clyde in December 2012. Concerns were raised at the time of the decision on a number of areas, including a loss of local knowledge, staffing levels and a lack of contingency plan.

Ms Clarke has secured a meeting with the transport minister, Stephen Hammond to discuss the matter. She said: "It seems clear to me that the decision was taken to close the Greenock station for cost reasons alone with maritime safety considerations merely an afterthought."

According to the Scottish Herald, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency advised it was expecting three new members of staff to join the Belfast centre soon and already has a full compliment of staff working at the facility.