THE Securitas worker who let the first of the robbers into the depot, told a court that the moment he saw a gun, he made the decision not to be a hero.

Gary Barclay was working in the control room of the depot in Vale Road, Tonbridge, on February 21, 2006, when the £53 million heist took place.

He told the court how he let manager Colin Dixon into the depot and, when he noticed his "policeman" companion, simply assumed something else had occurred elsewhere on the site.

It was not until Mr Barclay saw the "policeman" was carrying a gun that the full enormity of what was happening hit home.

Mr Barclay, who had only been working at the depot for four months when the robbery took place, told the Old Bailey that as soon as he saw the gun it was the only thing he could concentrate on.

He said that “self preservation” was his top priority and recalled seeing a poster which warned not to be a hero.

One of the gang placed a blue plastic bag over Mr Barclay’s head, causing him to worry that he would have a panic attack.

He said: “I became concerned that I might hyperventilate because it’s happened in the past.”

Mr Barclay was also handcuffed and had tape placed over his eyes. He was eventually taken to join the other hostages, who he said were all kneeling down and facing desks.

He described how one of the gang asked him: “How are you doing old timer?”

As the gang left the building, Mr Barclay told how he distinctly heard one say “Let’s rock and roll”.

When he realised he was safe he told the court he felt relief but also guilt that he had been the person to let them in and had “put all my fellow workers in jeopardy".

The case continues.