"CRIMINAL!" That's the cry from probation workers over the lack of support being offered to keep a priceless collection of wartime ships in Hampshire.

Staff at the Probation Service have warned if the British Military Powerboat Trust is forced to leave the county a brilliant community service facility will go with it.

The Daily Echo has reported how Trustees have been told they must ship out their collection of 18 wartime vessels before September next year or face the chop.

But so far no one has come forward with an alternative home for the collection - which includes a pair of Dunkirk Little Ships famous for helping save 300,000 French and British troops during the Second World War.

Now Trevor Emans, case managing officer at the New Forest Probation Service, has warned Hampshire is also in danger of losing an invaluable community service resource.

Many law-breakers given community punishment orders have helped refurbish the collection of boats in Marchwood. Mr Emans said: "We take on a variety of offenders like tradesmen such as builders, carpenters and bricklayers.

One offender, who asked not to be named, said: "I think it would be a big loss to the Probation Service if the Trust had to leave Hampshire."

The 40-year-old mechanic has helped refurbish engines as well as paint renovated boats. He said: "If the Trust is taken away there won't really be anywhere else to go for people like me who have a trade."

Richard Hellyer, operations manager of the Trust, said: "The great contribution we make to the Probation Service is yet another reason why it would be a tragedy if Hampshire lost the British Military Powerboat Trust."