Five men appeared in court yesterday charged with conspiring to steal more than £1 million from a secure area of Gatwick.

The men were charged with two others who also appeared in court for separate offences allegedly involving drugs and conspiracy to steal thousands of pounds worth of other goods such as hi-fis and food blenders.

Bow Street magistrates heard the five men were alleged to have conspired to steal from HSBC bank at the airport on March 27.

Scotland Yard's Flying Squad tracked down a van which had been remodelled to look like a security vehicle some distance from Gatwick and the currency was retrieved on March 27.

The seven men were remanded in custody until May 16 when they will appear at Southwark Crown Court.

Tony Bowers, 45, from Chingford, east London, is charged with conspiring to steal £1,123,639.47 from HSBC bank, conspiring to steal £15,266 worth of food blenders, £25,205 worth of hi-fis, an unknown value of vodka, a quantity of adhesive tape and conspiracy to import drugs.

Also charged with conspiring to steal the £1 million from Gatwick are Martin Bowers, 41, from Canning Town, east London, Paul Bowers, 36, from Canning Town, Joseph Ashman, 35, from Rainham, Essex, and Spencer Chamberlain, 34, from Maidstone, Kent.

Lewis Nicholls, 54, from Kent, is charged with conspiring to import drugs and to supply drugs.

Jonathan Turner, 41, from Plaistow, Essex, is charged with conspiracy to steal food blenders, hi-fis, vodka and a quantity of adhesive tape.

The offences were alleged to have taken place during the past year.