Falkland veterans and those they freed have gathered on the archipelago to commemorate 30 years since the war ended.

The 74-day occupation of the remote British Overseas Territory ended on June 14 1982 as Argentinian commander General Mario Menendez surrendered to the British at Port Stanley.

The fighting cost the lives of 255 British servicemen and three Falkland Islanders whose names will be read out at a special ceremony at Christ Church Cathedral in the Falklands capital.

Later on Thursday, the Last Post will be played and wreaths laid followed by a Royal Salute.

The war was far costlier to Argentina, which lost 655 servicemen in the conflict.

Eight thousand miles away in London David Cameron also marked the anniversary and pledged to continue defending the Islands from Argentinian "aggressive threats".

The Prime Minister said: "It's a time to pay tribute to the 255 UK servicemen who paid the ultimate price so that the people of the Falkland Islands could live in peace and in freedom.

"For the last 180 years, 10 generations have called the Falkland Islands home and have strived hard to secure a prosperous future for their children. And despite the aggressive threats from over the water, they are succeeding."