The popular Second Life virtual gaming environment has suffered its first terrorist action.

The so-called 'Second Life Liberation Army', a home-grown terrorist cell of users, has staged an online attack for the first time, calling for democratic decision-making in the virtual community.

Terrorists 'bombed' an American Apparel outlet and a Reebok store as part of a campaign for more of a say in the affairs of the online community.

An avatar called 'Marshal Cahill' told the LA Times in an in-world interview: "The population of the world should have a say in the running of the world."

The action highlights a growing tension between long-term Second Lifers and those who have recently joined, and the corporations which have followed them.