Hello world: Locked-in man joins Twitter

A man with locked-in syndrome who can only move his eyelids has become an instant hit on Twitter, attracting more than 8,000 followers in less than 48 hours.

Tony Nicklinson, 58, who is legally challenging the Government over the right to die, used his first tweet on Wednesday to say "hello world" and has since been inundated with messages of support.

He is believed to be the first person in the world to ever tweet with his eyelids, using a computer tracking system that translate his thoughts into tweets via blinks.

Mr Nicklinson has been "locked-in" since suffering a catastrophic stroke in 2005. He has spent much of the past few years alone in his room, frustrated in company because he cannot converse.

His wife, Jane Nicklinson, told The Independent that she hoped that Twitter would give him the opportunity to express his strong opinions, of which he has plenty, and show the world that he still hadn't lost his good sense of humour.

On Monday, Mr Nicklinson and his family are due to go to the High Court to argue that a doctor should be allowed lawfully to end his life.