Bernie Sanders has blasted as "corrupt and obscene" a $353,400-a-ticket fundraising dinner for Hillary Clinton featuring George and Amal Clooney.

Amid ongoing claims that Ms Clinton has too many links to corporate and wealthy single donors, the Democrat hopeful is charging more than a third of a million dollars for two seats at the head table at a San Francisco fundraising event in April.

In return, the donors will have the chance to dine with the presidential hopeful and her guests of honour – the Clooneys.

The top-table tickets to the event cost eight times the average annual income in America, which was $44,570 last year. The following night, guests are invited to a dinner in the Clooneys' Los Angeles home. Each ticket to that event will cost $33,400 (£23,580).

In pictures: US Elections 2016 Show all 15 1 /15 In pictures: US Elections 2016 In pictures: US Elections 2016 Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks to supporters after rival candidate Hillary Clinton was projected as the winner in the Nevada Democratic caucuses Reuters In pictures: US Elections 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton takes photos with workers at her campaign office in Des Moines, Iowa AP In pictures: US Elections 2016 Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, second from left, prays before lunch with supporters at Drake Diner in Des Moines, Iowa Reuters In pictures: US Elections 2016 Democratic presidential candidate and former Maryland Governor. Martin O'Malley, speaks during a campaign stop in Waterloo, Iowa AP In pictures: US Elections 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks, as his wife Jane O’Meara Sanders looks on, at a campaign event at Iowa State University Getty In pictures: US Elections 2016 Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio speaks at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa Reuters In pictures: US Elections 2016 Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson speaks at a campaign event at Fireside Pub and Steak House in Manchester, Iowa. Getty In pictures: US Elections 2016 Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum visiting supporters at a house party in West Des Moines, Iowa Reuters In pictures: US Elections 2016 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa AP In pictures: US Elections 2016 Republican candidate Ted Cruz campaigns at Greene County Community Centre in Jefferson, Iowa AP In pictures: US Elections 2016 Senator Rand Paul speaks during a Caucus rally at his Des Moines headquarters in Iowa Getty In pictures: US Elections 2016 Republican candidate Jeb Bush speaks at a campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa AFP In pictures: US Elections 2016 Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin introducing the arrival of Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa Reuters In pictures: US Elections 2016 A portrait of Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders at his campaign headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa Getty In pictures: US Elections 2016 Campaign badges on sale ahead of a Trump rally at the Ramada Waterloo Hotel and Convention Centre in Waterloo, Iowa Getty

Speaking to CNN, Mr Sanders said it was "obscene that Secretary Clinton keeps going to big-money people to fund her campaign".

Ms Clinton's main rival for the Democratic presidential nomination made it clear his ire was reserved for the super-rich individuals and corporations buying up seats at her fundraising events, rather than the celebrity hosts.

“I have a lot of respect for George Clooney. He’s a great actor. I like him,” Mr Sanders said. “But this is the problem with American politics.

"It’s not a criticism of Clooney. It’s a criticism of a corrupt campaign finance system, where big money interests ... have undue influence on the political process.”

Mr Sanders also noted that his own events cost “$15 or $50” to get into. The left-wing candidate's war chest of around $140m is made up of relatively small donations from approximately 2 million supporters.

By contrast, Ms Clinton has amassed more than $160m, but with only half the number of donors. Much of her funding has come in large lump-sum donations from wealthy individuals and corporations.