Many youngsters believe there are more immigrants than there are

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It suggests misconceptions about migration and other cultures are rife, fuelled by distorted views about the number of immigrants living in the UK.

The study, conducted by Show Racism The Red Card, found that more than one in four (28 per cent) of the almost 6,000 pupils questioned believe that jobs being taken by foreign workers might stop them reaching their goals.

And more than a third (35 per cent) agreed or partly agreed with the statement "Muslims are taking over England".

The research was part of a two-year programme by the charity - which uses top footballers to educate against racism - designed to combat the influence of far-right groups on young people.

It surveyed 10 to 16-year-olds in 60 schools across England who took part in anti-racism workshops between April 2012 and April 2014.

Youngsters overestimated the number of foreign-born people living in the UK, suggesting that around 47 per cent were born overseas.

In reality, 2011 census data indicates the actual figure is around 13 per cent, the charity said.

One youngster told researchers: "Immigrants take jobs and make the country over-crowded."

Another said: "When we get older lots of jobs will be taken up by foreigners."

And perceptions are getting worse - of the 3,362 youngsters who answered the survey between April and November 2012, nearly half (49 per cent) agreed that migration to the UK is out of control or not being managed properly.

Of the 2,638 who were polled between November 2012 and April last year, an astonishing 60 per cent believed it was true that "asylum seekers and immigrants are stealing our jobs".