Three men have appeared in court in connection with an armed robbery.

Stevie Atkins, 26, of no fixed address but thought to be from the Dagenham area, Alexandre Agostinho, 22, of Fords Park Road, Canning Town, and Andre Dos Santos Samedo, 23, of Wood Lane, Kilburn, appeared before magistrates in Crawley at 10am today.

They are all charged with possession of a firearm, theft of a vehicle and grievous bodily harm on a 70-year-old man.

Atkins is also charged with driving while disqualified.

The charges relate to an armed raid on a cash delivery van on the A23 at Gossops Green, Crawley, on Thursday.

Samedo is also facing charges for possession of a class A drug and failing to surrender. Those charges are connected to an incident on March 9.

No pleas were entered at this morning's hearing and all three men were remanded in custody.

They will next appear at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday August 19.

The investigation has been handed over to the Metropolitan Police.