Rose West is reportedly launching a campaign to be freed from jail, and vowed she will not die behind bars.

West, who was locked up for life in 1995 for murdering 10 girls and women, is serving a "life means life" sentence - which should mean she will never be released.

The judge told her at the time: "If attention is paid to what I think, you will never be released."

Originally, the Lord Chief Justice said she should spend at least 25 years in prison, but two years later the Home Secretary, Jack Straw, imposed a whole life tariff on her.

However, according to reports in the Star on Sunday, she has spoken to fellow prisoners in Low Newton prison in County Durham about her plans to launch an appeal in the new year.

A source told the newspaper: “West is convinced that she has become a political prisoner and that no Home Secretary will dare overturn her whole-life tariff because it would be too politically damaging.