IMMIGRATION is often thought of as a recent development, but as Robert Winder shows, a steady flow of people has come to these shores for centuries either to escape persecution or make a better life, often both.

The former literary editor of the Independent offers the view, in his deftly written manner, that Britain is a lake constantly refreshed by a stream of immigrants, often with entrepreneurial tendencies. He suggests that immigration may become ever more necessary to provide pensions for the existing workforce.

The narrative suggests that beneath the often-displayed bigotry, Britain has a long tradition of tolerance towards foreigners. Perhaps the only criticism that can be levelled at Winder is that too often he sees immigration in a purely positive light and ducks the issue of whether limits should be imposed. Nevertheless this is a sophisticated and highly readable contribution to popular history that goes some way to chart the forging of a multicultural nation.

Bloody Foreigners: The Story of Immigration to Britain by Robert Winder is published by Little, Brown, Priced £20.