A LEADING British newspaper has pleaded with Australians living in the UK not to head home amid concerns a looming recession and plummeting pound are fueling an exodus.

The Times praised the cultural contribution of famous Australians who have made Britain home, including Barry Humphries, Clive James and Germaine Greer as well as the generations of Antipodeans who have flocked to the "old country``.

But in its editorial on Tuesday, the Rupert Murdoch-owned daily voiced alarm at new figures showing record numbers of Antipodeans are leaving Britain and its economic gloom for better job opportunities back home.

"This is largely a vote of no confidence in the old country,`` The Times said.

"As the recession bites, the lure of home, with unemployment at a 33-year low and the Australian dollar at an 11-year high against sterling, is very tempting.``

According to the paper, Australian Immigration Department figures show an average of 2700 Australians are leaving the UK each month, up from 1750 a month in 2005.

In the 12 months to June, 13,062 Australians applied for working holiday visas compared with more than 27,000 two years ago.

A strong pound, the chance to travel widely and superior job opportunities - particularly in London`s financial sector - had enticed thousands of professional Australians to the UK in recent years.

But with mass redundancies, a falling currency and the poor economic outlook, there is an exodus from the City of London.