A Spanish judge has found 21 people guilty of involvement in the Madrid train bombings which killed 191 people.

But the alleged masterminds were cleared of plotting Europe's deadliest Islamist attack on March 11, 2004, which also left 1,800 injured when ten bombs ripped through four commuter trains.

Moroccans Jamal Zougam and Othman el Gnaoui were each sentenced to more than 40,000 years in prison for the bombings, although under Spanish law they can only serve a maximum of 40.

Zougam and Gnaoui were convicted of belonging to a terrorist organisation and terrorist murder.

Spaniard Emilio Suarez Trashorras, who also helped supply the bombers with explosives, got thousands of years in jail.

Seven of the 28 accused were acquitted of any involvement in the bombings including one alleged mastermind, Rabei Osman Sayed Ahmed, known as Mohamed the Egyptian, who is already jailed in Italy for belonging to an international terrorist group.

Another two men accused of planning the attack were also cleared of the March 11 deaths but were found guilty and jailed for belonging to a terrorist organisation.

Judge Javier Gomez Bermudez ruled out participation of Basque guerrillas ETA in the bombings. Prosecutors said the bombers were inspired by al-Qaeda.

Many survivors and families who lost members gathered at the courthouse have expressed disappointment at the sentences.

Eutiquio Gutierrez, whose 39-year old daughter died in the bombing, said: "It seems to us that only a few of them got a lot of years in prison. There aren't many heavy sentences considering how many people were affected."

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said: "Nothing can make up for the loss, but now their suffering can be alleviated by knowing the truth of what happened and who did it."

All the suspects pleaded innocent and those found guilty are expected to appeal against their sentences.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.