The ruthless exploits of Ronnie and Reggie Kray became the stuff of legend and popular culture after they strong armed themselves into the very heart of public life in the Swinging London of the 1960s.

Yet to Bickley-based author Robin McGibbon their terrifying image is only part of the story.

On the eve of the 40th anniversary of their arrest, on May 8, 1968, the 68-year-old former Fleet Street journalist is releasing more than three hours of taped conversations that he held with the two former crime lords, as well as their older brother Charlie.

He said: “A page three model, Maureen Flanagan, introduced me to Reggie Kray in 1985. As a journalist, it was a heaven sent opportunity to interview two of the most notorious killers that Britain has produced. I had a list of 12 questions. The first one was, where’s the body of Frank Mitchell?”

The Krays had helped Mitchell, known as The Mad Axeman, to escape from Dartmoor Prison in December 1966.

According to a member of their gang, Mitchell was later shot and his body dumped in the sea, never to be found.

When Mr McGibbon broached the subject in his first meeting with Reggie in prison, the gangster at first pretended he didn’t hear him and then refused to talk about it.

He also did not want to talk about the murder he had been found guilty of at the Old Bailey - the execution of Jack ‘the Hat’ McVitie.

The twins had lured McVitie to a basement flat in Hackney where Reggie planned to shoot him in the head.

When the gun failed to go off, Ronnie grabbed hold of McVitie and Reggie plunged a carving knife into his face, stomach and neck.

His body has also never been found.

But Reggie did open up about some things, including his philosophy of life, his views on Myra Hindley, his brother’s funeral and his tax affairs.

Mr McGibbon said: “We became, I would say, very good contacts. We did become friendly but it was always work. I really wanted to do their story.”

* The Kray Tapes are released on Right Recordings on Monday, May 5.

The three CD box set and booklet is priced £14.99.

www.rightrecordings.com