Briton begins 'best job in the world'

A British man started work today in "the best job in the world" - a six-month contract as caretaker of the islands on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Former charity fundraiser Ben Southall beat more than 35,000 applicants from around the world to the post, which involves exploring hundreds of tropical islands off the coast of Queensland while writing a blog with photos and video updates to attract visitors to the area.

The 34-year-old, from Petersfield in Hampshire, fought off competition from 15 other finalists to win the £70,000 role.

He was chosen by officials from Tourism Queensland on May 6 after a four-day selection process on Hamilton, Daydream and Hayman Islands.

Mr Southall, whose new home is a rent-free three-bedroom ocean-front villa on Hamilton Island, said "excited" could not begin to describe how he felt about starting his new job.

He said: "It seems a lifetime ago when I sat down in January to plan and film my 60 second video application for the 'best job in the world'.

"At times I still can't believe I was successful in being offered what has to be the most sought-after job in the world - the chance to spend six months exploring the islands of the Great Barrier Reef - one of the world's most amazing destinations.

"During the selection process in May I was lucky enough to visit a small part of the destination so I can't wait to get out there, start exploring as many of the islands that I can, and start telling the world about my experiences."

The job is part of a campaign to attract visitors to the Great Barrier Reef, and tourism chiefs claim it already has generated £98 million in publicity.

It became an internet hit, spreading across the world via YouTube and social networking sites such as Facebook.

Below the water, the Great Barrier Reef stretches for 1,600 miles across 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands and is the world's largest coral reef system with "an abundance of wildlife", according to Tourism Queensland.

Hamilton Island, where the temperature is warm all year round, is the largest inhabited island in the region and is located just off the coast of Queensland with blue skies, crystal water and pure sands forming "the backdrop to an ideal island life".

About two million tourists visit the islands each year, but most stay on the mainland and visit only on day trips.