THE trial of 11 people accused of taking part in the £53 million Securitas robbery is to be held back another two months.

The 11, including Staplehurst car dealer John Fowler, 61, and 48-year-old Stuart Royle from Maidstone, had been due to answer charges in mid April.

But at a hearing at The Old Bailey, London, on Friday lawyers for Fowler, Royle and some of the other defendants said they would not be ready in time.

The honourable Mr Justice Penry-Davey agreed to delay the start of the trial until Monday, June 11.

Lawyers for Fowler had sought a delay until January next year but the judge said he did not want to lose momentum.

Ruling in favour of a short delay, Mr Justice Penry-Davey said: "There are several defendants who say we are ready or we are very nearly ready.

"In addition to the interests of the defendants there are broader interests, including a significant public interest, in cases being tried as soon as reasonably possible."

On Friday, eight of the defendants; Fowler of Chart Hill Road, Staplehurst, Royle of Allen Street, Maidstone, Roger Coutts, 29, of The Green, Welling, Jetmir Bucpapa, 25, of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, Ermir Hysenaj, 27, of New Road, Crowborough, Lea Rusha, 34, of Lambersart Close, Southborough, Raluca Millen, 26, of Dudley Road, Tunbridge Wells, and Katie Philp, 23, of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, all appeared by video link from prison.

Kim Shackleton, 39, of Allen Street, Maidstone, Michelle Hogg, 32, of Brinklow Crescent, Woolwich, Keith Borer, 53, of Hampstead Lane, Yalding, who have all been granted bail, appeared in person.

They are all charged with various offences in connection to the raid in Vale Road, Tonbridge, last February, which involved the abduction of depot manager Colin Dixon and his family from their Herne Bay home.

The 11 will next appear in court on Thursday, March 29, when they are expected to enter pleas. The trial is expected to last four months.

An 12th suspect, Lee Murray, 29, of Onslow Drive, Sidcup, remains in prison in Morrocco as Kent police continue efforts to extradite him. Two others are due to stand trial separately in September on money laundering charges.