A Sussex man sparked fear and panic across Britain with a series of bomb threats, a court has been told.

Part of London had to be sealed off following one hoax call and the London Eye was closed down.

Police traced the calls to a phone box in Rustington, near Littlehampton, and kept it under video surveillance.

It led to the arrest of Neil Bartlett, 28, who was filmed arriving on a mountain bike.

He had with him a script for two bomb hoax calls, including one to council offices in Hove.

Chichester Crown Court heard yesterday that Bartlett had targeted companies and local authorities which he believed were hostile to the interests of animals.

Bartlett admitted six charges of making hoax bomb calls. Another two which he denied will stay on court files.

He was remanded in custody until February 1 when he will be sentenced after reports have been prepared.

Judge Anthony Thorpe also asked for a psychiatric report, saying: "People who go round making these sorts of calls are either very evil or have serious mental problems."

Steven Shay, prosecuting, said a number of organisations received calls earlier this year claiming a bomb or incendiary device had been hidden in the toilets of their offices.

One made to the headquarters of Shell in London led to the closure of the London Eye and streets around Waterloo.

Other targets included pharmaceutical companies and Berwick-upon-Tweed Council in Northumberland over a decision to cull seagulls.

Police arrested Bartlett after surveillance started at the phone box and a search of his home in Beweley Road, Angmering, revealed material showing he was sympathetic to the animal rights movement.

They also found an article about culling seagulls in Berwick-upon-Tweed and the telephone script Bartlett had prepared intending to target Hove because it had been the venue for a circus.

Another script had been prepared with the telephone number of Islington Council in London over a farm inside its boundary.

Mr Shay said Bartlett denied the offences after his arrest and made no comment during interviews. The court heard he had no previous convictions.