STARGAZER Sir Patrick Moore was today accused of being racist as he claimed the UK is being "swamped with parasites".

Sir Patrick made the controversial comment at a pensioners' meeting in Winchester organised by the charity Age Concern. During a speech about old age the 79-year-old Sky at Night presenter criticised the government spending on immigrants.

He said: "We are being swamped by people who come here because we are a soft touch.

"I know people will say 'racist, racist, racist', well personally I agree with Flanders and Swann who said: 'The English, the English, the English are best'.

Asked to clarify his point Sir Patrick said outside: "We are being swamped with parasites. Call me racist, but I would send them all back where they came from. Everything we do for them takes away from what we can do for ourselves."

Sir Patrick made the controversial comments as part of criticism of the National Lottery's Community Fund - which has been criticised for giving money to "unworthy" causes.

During his speech Sir Patrick said the government and the National Lottery should give more money to charities such as Age Concern and "medical charities".

He said: "Where is the money going to? It is quite scandalous that our own money is going elsewhere."

He added later: "Personally I think we should look after ourselves first."

The comments were slated by civil liberties and anti-racist groups.

Tony Broomes, development officer of The African Caribbean Centre in Southampton, said Sir Patrick's comments were "blatantly racist".

He said: "Britain has done very well for itself over the years and is he honestly saying that ethnic minority communities have not contributed to that or don't have a right to share resources? His argument is absolutely ridiculous!

"Perhaps Mr Moore's comments should start a debate. Does the average British citizen want to be seen as someone keen to help the less fortunate, or do they want to view ethnic minorities as parasites?

"These comments are usually associated with someone of little intelligence, not a man who has excelled in his field."

Immediately after Sir Patrick left the stage Age Concern appeared to distance itself from his controversial comments. A charity spokesman said there was no direct link between spending on old people and spending on immigrants.