AN engineer from Droitwich died in a terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia when an 800lb bomb was detonated underneath his living quarters, an inquest into his death was told.

American Todd Bair, from Sheldon Close, was working on a year-long contract in Riyadh when extremists with links to al Qaida attacked three compounds in the Saudi capital late on May 12, 2003, Worcestershire Coroner's Court was told yesterday.

Sergeant David Tower, of the Metropolitan Police anti-terrorist branch, told the hearing that the blast, which claimed the life of 37-year-old Mr Bair and 33 others, had been intended to cause the maximum loss of life.

The officer said Mr Bair - a former US Army captain originally from Florida and a veteran of the first Gulf war - was killed at a military compound run by the Vinnell Corporation to train the Saudi National Guard.

"In the three attacks there were a total of 34 dead, including nine terrorists," said Sgt Tower in Stourport-on-Severn yesterday.

"Mr Bair was killed at the Vinnell compound and his body was recovered from the accommodation block.

"A post mortem carried out in the US showed he had died from shrapnel wounds."

Detailing how a pick-up truck packed with explosives was driven into the Vinnell premises, the officer continued: "It was placed immediately beneath the single men's block.

"The Saudi authorities estimate the size of the device as 600-800lbs and the location at which it was detonated was carefully selected to maximise loss of life."

Mr Bair had two children by his English wife, Samantha, and had intended to return to Worcester-shire once his 12-month contract with Vinnell had expired in 2004.

Coroner Victor Round, who apologised to the family for having to call them to the hearing, recorded a verdict of unlawful killing in the course of an act of terrorism.

The family did not wish to make any comment.