THREE cars thought to have been used during the raid by armed robbers who got away with up to £50 million from a Securitas depot have been recovered by police.

A Volvo saloon, believed to have been used by the gang during the abduction of the depot manager, 51-year-old Colin Dixon, was found buring in Burberry Lane in the village of Leeds, near Maidstone, late on Thursday night.

Firefighters were called to the scene after reports the car was on fire and they alerted Kent Police just before 11pm.

The depot manager's car, a silver Nissan Almera, has also been found. It was also discovered on Thursday night parked at the Cock Horse pub, Detling.

Police are also linking a white Ford Transit van parked at a hotel car park in Ashford to the robbery.

Following a tip off from a member of the public, officers went to the Ashford International Hotel at around 12.45pm on Friday to recover the vehicle.

A detailed forensic examination of all the cars is underway.

Meanwhile, a forensic examination is continuing after a red van was found abandoned at the Hook and Hatchet pub in Hucking, near Maidstone, on Thursday. It has Parcelforce graphics on the side.

Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Leppard said: "The recovery of these cars and the van is an important development for us."

All three vehicles are at secure police locations.

The white Renault lorry, which the gang used to transport the cash, is still missing and police urgently want information to trace its whereabouts and movements.

Gun was held against depot manager's head