Expert teams work removing thousands of anti-vehicle and personnel mines brought to the island during the 1982 war

ARGENTINE-laid minefields are costing British taxpayers 2 million a year to clear on the Falkland Islands 35 years after the war finished.

Expert teams are working removing thousands of anti-vehicle and personnel mines brought to the island during the 1982 war.

Times Newspapers Ltd

De-mining on the British territory in South Atlantic has cost more than 16 million since 2009 and a further 20 million has been pledged.

Thirty minefields have been treated in recent years with another 46 expected to be cleared by next year.

Surveys will also be carried out on another 27 sites under British obligations under the Ottawa Treaty setting out a worldwide approach to removing landmines.

110 people are working on the project which is currently funded by the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence.

Argentine forces invaded the Falklands in April 1982 hoping to reclaim sovereignty of the remote islands.

The 74-day conflict saw 255 British military personnel lose their lives.

Lib Dem MP Tim Farron last night said: It is a slap in the face for UK taxpayers that we have to foot the bill.

The government need to ask Argentina to stump up some more cash. The Falklands should be made safe but Buenos Aires need to cough up.

Foreign Office Minister Alan Duncan has said he welcomes the news residents and visitors will soon be able to go safely into areas which have been out of bounds for decades.

Landmines have been a long-lasting and unwanted legacy of the 1982 conflict and the UK continues to be committed to removing them.

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Minefields set up by Argentine forces on the Falkland Islands are costing British taxpayers 2million a year to ... - The Sun