Former BNP candidate is jailed

Robert Cottage, 49, was cleared after two trials of conspiracy to cause explosions but earlier pleaded guilty to possession of the chemicals.

Police discovered a huge stockpile of chemicals and food at his home in Colne, Lancashire last September.

Officers mounted the operation after Cottage's wife told a social worker she was concerned about the substances and her husband's belief that immigrants were swamping Britain.

He feared the country was on the brink of civil war.

He appeared at Manchester's Crown Square Court to be sentenced in relation to the charge of possession.

Cottage's barrister Alistair Webster QC said his client accepted he had bought the potassium nitrate and sulphur planning to manufacture gunpowder, but said this would only be used to create "thunder flash" style bangers to scare off intruders.

Sentencing Cottage, Mrs Justice Swift said Cottage's actions had been "criminal and potentially dangerous".

She added a pre-sentence report said Cottage held "over valued ideas" but said there was a low risk of him committing further offences.

She said: "It is important to understand that Cottage's intention was that if he ever had to use the thunder flashes it was only for the purpose of deterrents. I am satisfied it was Cottage's views on how he put it, 'the evils of uncontrolled immigration', would lead to civil war which would be imminent and inevitable."