A leading member of the World Zionist Organisation has been overseeing plans in the UK to promote aliyah and encourage Israelis to return.

Menachem Lebovic, deputy chair of Keren Kayemet Le'israel, said he hoped to "close the deal" shortly on opening an aliyah centre here.

Nearly 800 people make Aliyah from Britain annually. In 2005, the figure hit a low of under 350.

But London-born Mr Lebovic, whose two-week trip was at the request of WZO chairman Avraham Duvduvani, says the figure could be even higher.

"We must never stop the promotion of aliyah," he said. "To all Britiish Jews, I'm saying Israel is the right address.

"We must continue to promote the option both for British Jews and Israelis who have come here in the past 30 to 40 years."

Mr Lebovic said there were plenty of business opportunities in Israel.

"Every month 500 too 700 doctors, are retiring in Israel," he said. "Today, there are more people who work in London from Monday to Thursday and who live in Israel. You can run a business from Jerusalem in Britain."

He believed that with rising British university tuition fees, Israel should look at cheaper alternatives for students to take degrees there.