Britain and Argentina remember Falklands conflict

Margaret Allen touches the name of her late husband, Able Seaman Iain Boldy at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Credit: Press Association

On this, the 30th anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the Falkland islands, families gathered at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire to pay their respects to the 255 men who died, on ships and on the battle-fields of the Falklands, liberating the islands.

It took 74 days to achieve and cost more than 600 Argentine their lives, too.

Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to those who had died on both sides of the conflict. He also said that the Falkland islanders have a right to "determine their own future".

In Argentina's capital Buenos Aires, the occasion was less calm with demonstrators attacking the British Embassy in protest at what they see as the British occupation of the islands.

Argentine President Cristina Kirchner addressed war veterans at a ceremony in the Patagonian city of Ushuaia - Argentina's most southerly point.

She criticised Britains "absurd and ridiculous" claim to the islands and called once again for a dialogue with the UK on their future.

ITV News' International Editor Bill Neely reports:

A single candle was lit at Staffordshire's National Memorial Arboretum's Millennium Chapel and will be left alight for the 74 days of the conflict. Widows of fallen soldiers gathered there today for a remembrance ceremony.

Initiated by the South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA 82), a memorial to the servicemen who were killed during the conflict will be unveiled at the Arboretum on May 20, in front of more than 600 veterans.

Craig Jones was the last British soldier to die during the Falkland's conflict.

His mum and dad, Pamela and Richard, have bought and named an island in the Falklands after their son. To watch the couple's interview with ITV Anglia, click here.

Richard and Pamela Jones lost their son Craig during the Falklands conflict. Credit: ITV News

Here those who fought in the conflict and the mother of a soldier killed in service share how the war changed their lives forever.

Argentine soldiers line up to hand in their weapons to Royal Marines near Port Stanley. Credit: Press Association

The anniversary of the conflict has attracted some criticism that UK forces are no longer equipped to defend the islands.Admiral Sir John Woodward, who led a task force in the conflict, told The Times (£) that the UK could not fight another Falklands war with its current inability to launch fighter jets at sea.

The Defence Secretary Philip Hammond rejected the claim: