A British man has started "the best job in the world" - a six-month contract as caretaker of an island on the Great Barrier Reef.

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.

His most arduous duty is writing a blog with photos and video updates to attract visitors to the area, reports the Daily Telegraph.

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.