Animal rights firebomber Barry Horne, jailed for 18 years in November 1997 after a Isle of Wight terror campaign, died yesterday.

Horne had been on hunger strike since October 21, having sporadically refused food during the summer.

Kevin Jonas of Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty said: "He was a household name for animal rights activists around the world...I can only predict that his death is going to spark a reaction." Pharmaceutical companies said they were already tightening security as the trial of three other SHAC members begins today.