Two British cruise ships were refused entry to an Argentinian port today as tension mounted between the UK and the South American country over the Falkland Islands.

The P&0 Cruises' ship Adonia and the Princess Cruises' vessel Star Princess were not allowed to dock at Ushuaia on the southern tip of Argentina.

Both vessels, part of the Carnival company cruise fleet, had called at the Falklands on Saturday.

Argentina is known to be upset at the deployment of the Duke of Cambridge on the Falklands as the 30th anniversary of the 1982 Falklands War approaches.

Adonia is now sailing towards Punta Arenas in Chile - the next port of call on its 87-night South American cruise.

The Star Princess is on a 14-night South American cruise which started from Rio de Janeiro on February 18.

A Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson said: "We are very concerned to hear the Adonia and Star Princess have been refused access to the port of Ushuaia.

"There can be no justification for interference in free and legitimate commerce.

"British diplomats in Argentina are urgently seeking to clarify the circumstances surrounding this incident, and we are in contact with the company concerned."

The FO's travel advice at present reads: "We are currently not advising against travel to Argentine ports, but strongly advise operators to check with local agent before travelling."