A surge in cruise ships visiting the Falkland Islands has prompted a new campaign to increase overall tourist numbers to the South Atlantic.

More than 67,000 cruise ship passengers are expected to visit during the coming summer season, which begins on October 20 and lasts through to April.

The ships usually visit as part of an Antarctic cruise, and have helped the islands to achieve growth for eight consecutive years.

With tourism now the fastest growing industry in the Falklands, the islands have appointed full-time representation in the UK for the first time looking to also develop its air-based tourism.

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The islands are served by MoD flights and commercial flights by Chilean airline LAN - fares start at around £900 and take around 17 hours for RAF flights via Ascension Island.

Widlife is abundant on the islands, although battlefield tours are also available to visit the sites of the 1982 conflict. Up to 1,800 British service personnel are still based on the Faklands.

But penguins, sealions, fishing and birdwatching and the main attraction. "It really is nature's best kept secret and is just waiting to be discovered," said Jake Downing, newly-appointed general manager of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board.

More than 100 cruise ships will call at the capital, Stanley, with 4x4 excursions and tours taking passengers around the islands. Flights from around £40 are also available.

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