500 Brits a year becoming French

THREE times more British people are opting to receive French nationality than the other way round, according to new figures released following the Gerard Depardieu exile row.

Official figures for 2010, the most up-to-date available, show 512 British people became French in the year - compared with 182 French people gaining British nationality.

The Eurostat figures include all categories of naturalisation - whether by request, marriage or birth of a child. Immigration experts say the statistics are low because there is little interest for EU residents to gain nationality of another member state.

Some 717 Belgians became French in 2010, compared with 420 French receiving Belgian nationality.

Gerard Dépardieu has applied to become a Belgian citizen after announcing he was leaving France. He has also been granted a Russian passport.

The actor says that while he may still be seeking Belgian nationality, he remains French. He told reporters: "I have a Russian passport, but I remain French and I will probably have dual Belgian nationality.

"But if I'd wanted to escape the taxman, as the French press says, I would have done it a long time ago."