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BBC documentary Last Whites Of The East End has sparked an explosive racism row .

The hour-long programme, aired last night, focused on the disappearing traditional Cockney culture in the London borough of Newham.

Some who tuned in were so offended by the opinions expressed that they compared it to white supremacy propaganda.

"Hitler documentary in the afternoon, #KKK documentary just finished and now #LastWhitesOfTheEastEnd? F**king British TV at its racist best," fumed one viewer on Twitter.

(Image: Getty)

Another then posted: "Just caught up with #LastWhitesOfTheEastEnd on iplayer. A documentary on life in Newham, where I was born & bred. What a load of racist tosh."

Shortly afterwards, a different viewer commented: "Sorry, but these people are just racist #LastWhitesOfTheEastEnd."

However, many other viewers praised the programme for its "truthful" portrayal as locals revealed what life in such an ethnically diverse area is like.

"How can anyone who has been to the east end be foolish enough to say that #lastwhitesoftheeastend is racist?" tweeted one viewer.

Another commented: "Well done, BBC, for the excellent #LastWhitesoftheEastEnd. If telling the truth is racist, then God help us.

"Unless you've been in these people's shoes and situations you should judge. They aren't being racist. #LastWhitesOfTheEastEnd?"

The documentary featured Newham residents from a variety of ethnic backgrounds giving their thoughts on how the borough has changed.

Some 73 per cent of local residents are now from a black or ethnic minority background after 70,000 immigrants moved to the area over the past 15 years.

Meanwhile, the number of white British residents has dropped by a third from 82,000 to 52,000 - 17 cent of the borough's total population - with many moving to Essex.

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(Image: BBC)

Newham's executive mayor, Sir Robin Wales, said. "This is London, things are always changing and people move. I have a German mother and a Scottish father.

"The main thing is that we get on and nearly 90 per cent of people here say they get on well together."

A BBC spokesperson defended the documentary, telling Mirror Online: "The documentary Last Whites of the East End sets out to explore the impact of rapid change on long standing communities in the East End of London and to discover why some people are choosing to leave the area.

"The film features a wide range of people voicing their personal opinions and shows many different facets of life in Newham, exploring both positive and negative views across a variety of issues."