A PRESTWICH security guard jailed for 14 years for being the 'insider' in a £6.6 million armoured car robbery faces an anxious wait to clear his name.

The family of Graham Huckerby say the Appeal Court decision could take up to eight weeks, after judgement was deferred at the end of last weeks two-day hearing in London.

Relatives and friends are hoping that 43-year-old Huckerby, of Clifton Road, will be freed and home in time for Christmas. His 'handler' James Power (61), of Hornby Street, Bury, also appealed against his conviction.

After two days of legal debate, Lord Justice Potter, Mr Justice Gibbs and Sir Michael Wright left the pair on tenterhooks when they reserved their decision until a later, unspecified, date.

The gang who carried out the gunpoint raid in Salford in July 1995 were never caught, but Huckerby, who was guarding the van at the time, was jailed along with Power, for assisting the robbers.

They were both sentenced to 14 years in prison at Manchester Crown Court in April 2002.

Both men have always insisted they had nothing to do with the raiders and say they are victims of a serious miscarriage of justice.

Huckerbys sister Susan Kelly said after the appeal: 'We just hope that the judges listened and took on board what the defence team had to say.

'Our barrister hopes they will make a decision before Christmas.

'It would be wonderful to have Graham home for Christmas.'