Not many people can make that claim; however, as Ben Southall takes the job as caretaker of the Hamilton Islands just off Queensland, Australia, we think he might just have earned the right to make it.

The 34 year old from Petersfield, Hampshire was one of 35,000 hopefuls from all over the world who applied for the position advertised by Tourism Queensland last January.

Southall will work just 12 hours a week for 6 months, and will be expected to feed the fish, snorkel and write the odd blog or two, all for a £74,000 salary and a rent free three bedroom villa on the beach.

PR Company Taylor Herring has declared the campaign by Tourism Queensland as one of the top 50 publicity stunts ever as the global interest has already netted them £50m of free publicity.

Southall’s blogs are expected to be read world wide, helping to promote the island in the Whitsundays and encourage people to visit the Great Barrier Reef.

Southall admitted he was amazed at being chosen and hopes he can live up to expectations but is looking forward to generating further media interest and being an ambassador for the island.

Only time will tell whether the publicity stunt has been successful and Anthony Hayes, head of Tourism Queensland admitted they are going to have to work hard to top this idea, adding that all further promotion ideas were being kept top secret for now.