THREE men accused of being part of an armed gang who plotted a £1.75m heist at Heathrow airport are facing a retrial today.

John Twomey, 59, Peter Blake, 55, and Barry Hibberd, 40, are said to have been the masked gunmen stole sacks of foreign currency from Menzies World Cargo warehouse.

But the jury were discharged on Friday by Judge Jeremy Roberts QC after deliberations spanning a little over a week ended in stalemate.

The trial began exactly six months ago and has cost the taxpayer millions.

The raid took place back on Friday February 6, 2004 when a gang of six armed men, one with a Heckler and Koch machine gun, stormed in to the building and rounded up staff after being driven through security.

Blake, of Colville Houses, Westbourne Park, west London, Twomey, of South Avenue, New Milton, Hampshire, and Hibberd, of The British Prince pub, Goldhawk Road, Shepherds Bush, each denied conspiracy to rob, between December 1, 2003 and February 7, 2004, robbery and possession of a 9mm pistol on February 6 with intent to endanger life.

Blake further denied a charge of attempting grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a 9mm pistol and ammunition.

Hibberd denied nine charges of possessing firearms with intent to endanger life and four of possession of ammunition without certificates and one of possessing a prohibited weapon.

The firearms include a loaded Baikal, self-loading pistol and silencer, a .25 Colt pistol and a sub-machine gun.

Brockwell has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob.

The trial had been halted after several months when Twomey was rushed to hospital with a heart complaint and he did not return to the dock until the jury returned its verdict.