A firestarter who sparked a blaze at a Homebase store causing £8million worth of damage is facing life behind bars today.

Ex-junkie Benny Dighton, of Chelmar Road, Chatham, was sentenced to an indeterminate jail term by a judge at Maidstone Crown Court.

The 28-year-old was told he poses a significant risk of serious harm to the public and must serve a minimum term of four years before being considered for parole.

Judge Jeremy Gold QC commented that the former drug addict was "truly institutionalised" and coped better with life behind bars than in the community.

The court heard Dighton started a fire at the Homebase superstore in Aylesford on May 1 last year.

More than 100 customers and staff were evacuated, while up to 80 firefighters from across Kent tackled the blaze. The store was completely destroyed.

Within minutes Dighton started another fire at B&Q in London Road, Larkfield, which was successfully extinguished with little damage.

Two days later Dighton tried to set fire to B&Q in Barker Road, Maidstone.

Dighton, who was traced and identified through extensive CCTV footage, admitted two charges of arson with intent to endanger life and one of attempted arson.

The court was told Dighton, who has become drug-free while on remand, had no vendetta against the stores.

Detective Inspector Ian Rogerson, who led the investigation, said: "This was one of the busiest weekends of the year for home improvement shopping so it is a miracle that no-one was seriously injured or killed in these arsons.

"The damage that did occur, plus the disruption to shoppers and the stores themselves was significant, so I am pleased that the courts have recognised the danger Dighton presents to the public and he will no longer be at liberty to do anything like this for some considerable time to come.

Audio: DI Ian Rogerson on Benny Dighton

"I would also like to thank the public for the help they provided to the investigation and to praise the shop staff whose vigilance ensured that the shops were evacuated safely and that no-one was hurt in these arsons."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service also welcomed today's sentencing.

Group Manager John Robertson, one of the incident commanders on the day, said: "Anyone who was there can vouch for the fact that this was a ferocious fire which demanded the use of crews and equipment from all over the county for a prolonged period.

"This incident had the potential to be a real risk to life as well as property however, thanks to the Homebase staff who quickly and efficiently evacuated the building, no one was hurt and, due to the skill and tireless efforts of those fighting the fire, damage was mostly limited to the store itself."

He added: "We thank our partners - including Kent Police and the local authority - for working alongside us during that incident.

"Today marks the end of that process and, we believe, sends out the message that arson, on whatever scale, is an extremely serious offence and will ultimately be dealt with by the judicial system."