Image caption Passengers due to embark on the Southampton-based ships were told last month

A cruise firm has put a temporary halt to stops at three Argentine ports after continuing tensions with the country over the Falklands.

P&O has stopped Arcadia and Adonia from docking in Argentina during round-the-world cruises.

Argentine port authorities have refused permission for liners that have been to the Falklands to dock.

The Southampton-based company said the risk that its ships would be refused entry into the ports was too high.

It comes as tensions over the islands continue between London and Buenos Aires.

A P&O spokesman said: "As a British cruise company we cannot allow ourselves to be the subject of any political dispute or put our customers and crew into any situation where their enjoyment may be compromised.

"With this in mind, we have had to take the difficult decision to remove all Argentinian ports of call from the itinerary."

P&O will now not dock in Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia.

Argentina invaded the Falklands in 1982 but British forces recaptured the islands.

Since then Argentina has continued to claim sovereignty over the islands.