A rally cry has been issued to the people of Dover to support a People’s Port.

They are being urged to turn out to vote at a Dover Town Council meeting on whether a referendum should be held on the fate of Dover port.

The meeting is at the town hall next Thursday (March 3) at 6pm.

People can vote on the motion “that a town referendum be held as to whether Dover town supports the transfer of Dover port and harbour to Dover People’s Port Trust (DPPT)”.

Meanwhile DPPT is waiting for an imminent announcement from the Government after Dover MP Charlie Elphicke and trust supporter submitted their proposal to the Prime Minister as a funded bid in November 2010.

MP for Dover Charlie Elphicke said the People’s Port idea would give the public a feeling that they really can change matters.

He said: "People in Dover should be able to have their say. It’s essential that we are a partnership to get the investment it needs."

DPPT chairman Neil Wiggins is hoping for a capacity attendance at the town council meeting which he says could be highly influential in whether the bid for the People’s Port succeeds.

* For more details, see this week's Dover Mercury.