Young Arabs and Muslims still consider the US and UK as their countries of choice in spite of the war on terror.

September 11 has done nothing to topple America from the top spot - with 68 per cent of young Muslims "very favourable or mainly favourable".

The British Council survey "Connecting Futures" found that when respondents were asked which nation they most admired outside their own, the US was twice as popular as the number two choice Japan.

Britain follows in second place - with 67 per cent backing. Just 19 per cent of people aged 15 to 25 in nine predominantly Muslim countries regarded Britain less favourably than two years ago.

Turkish nationals gave the most negative view of Britain, and were appalled by "conservatism, inappropriate adherence to traditions and class divisions, aloofness, over-formality, racial intolerance and unfriendliness to foreigners".

Young Saudis thought highly of Britain's loyalty to tradition and the monarchy.

A warning came from Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws - who presented the findings - that there was "very solid and real antagonism" towards Britain.

"It's not just on the periphery that there are hard and strong feelings. These hard feelings are quite broad. People do feel that the US and Britain and the West generally is not caring enough about the concerns of the Islamic and Arab world," she said.

"But it's much more complex than people might imagine. It's not just 'them and us'. There are contradictory views amongst young Muslims about the economic success of the west and the advantages and disadvantages that flow from it."

The survey had been started after British Council staff abroad questioned the findings of a Gallup poll that perceptions had been lowered. They said it conflicted with their experience "on the ground".

The British Council said the survey proved Britain was perceived "as a successful multi-cultural society, despite perceptions of racist undercurrents".