The Royal Navy is sending a nuclear submarine to the Falkland Islands amid heightened tensions between Britain and Argentina over the disputed islands, it has been reported.

The Trafalgar class vessel, thought to be either HMS Tireless or HMS Turbulent, is believed to be being deployed to protect the islands from Argentine military action.

A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokeswoman said: "We do not comment on submarine deployments."

The Daily Mail reported that the Prime Minister had personally approved plans for one of the Navy's most sophisticated submarines to undertake the mission.

Sources told the newspaper that a team of Spanish-speaking communications workers would be aboard to monitor maritime radio transmissions in the region.

It is said the submarine will be in the islands' waters in time for April's 30th anniversary of the 1982 war.

The news comes after the Duke of Cambridge began a six-week posting in the region. William arrived on the archipelago on Thursday ahead of a tour of duty as an RAF search and rescue pilot.

The MoD said the posting was part of a "routine operational deployment", despite Argentina likening it to that of a "conqueror".

Tensions rose between the two countries in the past week following the announcement that one of the Royal Navy's most advanced new warships is being sent to the area.

HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 destroyer, is due to set sail for the South Atlantic on her maiden mission in the coming months to replace frigate HMS Montrose.