French Businessman Seeks Refuge from Taxes in U.K.

Alain Afflelou owns an optical chain and has assets he'd like to keep

One of France's richest men has announced he is moving to Britain as massive tax hikes on the super-rich by his country's new socialist government were announced.

Optician chain tycoon Alain Afflelou - who has an estimated £190million fortune - will join thousands of wealthy French fleeing President Francois Hollande's new tax regime.

It came as President Vladimir Putin offered French actor Gerard Depardieu a Russian passport, saying he would welcome the 63-year-old celebrity who is also embroiled in a bitter tax row.