A WOMAN taken hostage during Britain's biggest ever cash robbery has described one of her kidnappers as short, dumpy and appearing almost caring, a court heard.

Lynn Dixon was kidnapped along with her husband, cash depot manager Colin Dixon, and their young child during the robbery at the Tonbridge Securitas depot in February last year.

Jurors at the Old Bailey heard how one of the robbers was shorter and less agile than the others, with a tummy, and wrinkles around his "slit eyes".

Mrs Dixon said the shorter robber appeared almost caring, asking at one point how she was doing.

The court was told that Mrs Dixon replied: "What am I expected to say to that?"

The court also heard how DNA from Anthony Harun, a man known to a friend of Mrs Dixon, had been found on the Parcelforce van used to transport the hostgages.

Mr Harun is known to have had a relationship with the sister-in-law of Sue Grovesnor, who is described by Mrs Dixon as one of her closest friends.

Mrs Dixon was giving evidence against seven men and one woman who are all charged in connection with the £53 million robbery at the Securitas depot, Vale Road, Tonbridge, in February 2006.

Lea Rusha, of Lambersart Close, Southborough; Stuart Royle, from Allen Street, Maidstone; Jetmir Bucpapa, of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge; Roger Coutts, of The Green, Welling; John Fowler, of Chart Hill Road, Staplehurst; Ermir Hysenaj, of New Road, Crowborough; and Michelle Hogg, of Brinklow Crescent, Woolwich, have all pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to have in their possession a firearm.

A seventh man, Keith Borer, from Hampstead Lane, Yalding, stands accused of dishonestly receiving £6,100 of stolen Securitas money, which he denies.

The case continues.