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The people of the Falkland Islands have voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a British overseas territory.

Of 1,517 votes cast in the two-day referendum, 1,513 were in favour of keeping the current status, while just three votes were against.

There was a turnout of more than 90% from 1,672 British citizens eligible to vote in a population of about 2,900.

It follows pressure from Argentina over its claims to the islands, more than 30 years after the Falklands War.

Dick Sawle, a member of the island's legislative assembly, said: "To get a 99% result on the 'yes' vote, with only three voting 'no', I think is an absolutely phenomenal result which will send out the strongest possible message to the rest of the world about our right to self-determination - a right that was fought for in 1982, and which we have honoured tonight."

Election observers from different countries have overseen the vote, including representatives of Chile and Mexico - despite an Argentine request for Latin American countries not to take part.

Most Argentines regard the islands, which they call Las Malvinas, as Argentine and their recovery is enshrined in the national constitution.

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has said the inhabitants' wishes are not relevant in what is a territorial issue.

Argentine forces invaded the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982. The garrison of Royal Marines was overwhelmed and other British South Atlantic territories including South Georgia were also seized.

In two months of fighting, 255 British and about 650 Argentine servicemen were killed, along with three Falklands civilians, before Argentine forces surrendered.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21750909

Not that this will have any effect on Argentina's claim on the islands, but it's a pretty emphatic message in support of British status