Falklanders vote to stay British

The result of a referendum on whether Falkland Islanders wish to remain British was no surprise, and neither was Argentina's decision to ignore it.

Almost everyone who was able to vote did so, and overwhelmingly in favour of keeping the Falkland Islands part of the British territories.

ITV News International Editor Bill Neely reports from Port Stanley:

David Cameron's Office tweeted a picture of the Prime Minister congratulating the Chair of Falklands Legislative Assembly, Gavin Short by phone. Mr Cameron said he was "delighted" that the message from the Falklands was clear, that they are "British through and through".

Nigel Haywood, Governor of the Falkland Islands told ITV News that, "this is a very bright, very lively place with a lot of optimism about he future for the economy of the Islands and the future of the Islands."

Speaking about the Government's response to the poll Mr Haywood said;

"I think the Islanders have never been in any doubt about the strength of support in Britain for the Falkland Islands.

"The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have made that very clear. But it's been very reassuring to have such an immediate response today to the results and that will help the confidence and the optimism of the Islanders for the future."

David Cameron has said that he is 'delighted with the Falkland Island result.'

The Prime Minister said, "it's the clearest possible result. The Falklands may be thousands of miles away but they are British through and through. We're there to defend them."

As 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted in favour of remaining a UK territory, the Guardian's Latin America Correspondent Jonathan Watts said the three people who voted against "would never admit it":

A total of 1,517 valid votes were cast, meaning that 92% of the islanders eligible to vote took part.

David Cameron has called on Argentina to respect the wishes of the people of the Falkland Islands after they voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory.

The Prime Minister said that Argentina should take "careful note" of the referendum result and that Britain would always be there to defend the Falkland Islanders.

Falkland Islanders have been celebrating the referendum results after residents voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory, with 99.8% declaring themselves in favour during a two-day referendum in the capital Port Stanley.

A total of 1,517 valid votes were cast, a turnout of 92% of the islanders eligible to vote.

Falklands United on behalf of the Falklands United Movement have launched an outspoken attack on President Cristina Kirchner of Argentina in a statement released after the referendum results.

• Read: Falklanders vote to stay British.

UK Representative for the Falklands Islands Government, Sukey Cameron, told Daybreak that the referendum result has shown the world that the Falklands has "a voice."

She said the rest of Southern America is coming round to the idea that the Falklands will stay British.

Mrs Cameron added that they had received a "lot of supportive tweets from people in Argentina."