Eight people are due to face a judge in Hania, Crete, today, charged with taking part in an audacious robbery last Monday in which they allegedly stole 200,000 euros using a bulldozer to smash through the front of a bank on the island.

The unnamed suspects have been accused of stealing public money, forming a gang and illegally possessing arms. One of the accused will also face charges of attempted murder.

Police said they made the arrests after bringing a young man from the area of Apokorona in for questioning on Thursday. Officers found firearms and explosives while searching his house.

During questioning, the suspect allegedly confessed to taking part in the raid on the branch of ATEbank in the village of Kalives. He also identified the other members of the gang, police said.

Officers rounded up another nine people but later released two of them. The remaining seven suspects deny any part in the robbery even though explosives and firearms were also found at their homes.