The internet search engine Altavista has relaunched its site in a bid to stem a fall in visitors to its site.

Millions of visitors have left its services to use rivals like Google and Yahoo instead.

Two years ago nearly 16 million people were using Altavista every month.

Nowadays though the number of visitors calling in at the site has fallen to less than six million.

But the company says it is determined to recapture its former glory.

Competitive edge

Altavista International's general manager, Kevin Eyres, told the BBC's World Business Report he hoped enhancements to the search engine would attract visitors.

"The way that we're going to compete is very simple, provide a very powerful search technology... and then give people the tools that are going to help extend and refine their searches to find that little piece of information that they are looking for," he said.

And Mr Eyres said the decline in internet advertising would not be a problem for the company.

"The great thing about search engines is people come to their site... and they declare exactly what they are looking for and so it is the perfect vehicle for more of a direct marketing response."

"Internet advertising is still a $6.3bn (�4bn) market this year of which 29% of that is actually on search engines, so search engines are really the bright spot in all the online advertising right now," he added.