HE was no ordinary criminal.

In fact former Kray twins henchman Chris Lambrianou was involved in the murder of one of England's most notorious criminals - Jack 'The Hat' McVitie.

Now 78 and living in Oxford, the former gangster has spoken about his new life, having become a born-again Christian while in prison.

Growing up in post-war East London he describes how he quickly fell into the 'College of Crime' before becoming involved with the Kray twins in the late 60s.

He said: "We were poor. I had been through the workhouses and was a Greek kid living in England when there were notices on doors saying 'No Irish, no dogs, no foreigners'.

"I didn't go to school and got into fights. It was a slippery slope."

Him and younger brother Tony attracted the attention of the Kray twins Ronnie and Reggie becoming junior associates and involved in 'The Firm'.

But on October 28, 1967, their involvement was to take on a more sinister turn.

Their job was said to be luring Jack The Hat McVitie to a flat in Stoke Newington where they thought the Krays planned to give him a beating for ripping them off over a drug deal. Instead Reggie Kray set about McVitie with a carving knife while Ronnie held him down. Brother Tony Lambrianou, who died in 2004 from a heart attack, was given the job of disposing of the body.

The brothers each served 15 years inside for their part.

Aged 29, Mr Lambrianou, who has since written a book about his experiences, said he became a born-again Christian while locked up and after his release got married, had children (twins ironically) and moved to Oxford, working on the Kirtlington quarry and in carpentry.

He said: "I knew that having a work ethic was important. I wasn't just a normal criminal, I was in the Kray gang."

The former gangster also helped the director of the Krays film Legend, starring Tom Hardy, research for the movie, showing them around the twins' old haunts.

Now expecting his eighth grandchild he is now helping to give something back.

Some 25 years ago he was introduced to rehab charity the Ley Community in Yarnton by a probation officer, where he began as a volunteer bringing people in from the criminal justice system.

It offers a programme of support and recovery for people with addiction and dependency problems.

Mr Lambrianou said: "My job was to go to all parts of the country to talk to residents. After coming out from 15 years in prison I had my own parking space at the Old Bailey.

"The trouble is that kids get surrounded by a group of people who are doing the wrong thing. They go back to the clutches of people they need to get away from.

"The Ley Community does more than a prison could ever do. They don't stand for violence. You are not going to be brutalised, you are going to be humanised."

Over the years he has become a champion for the centre, helping in fundraising and clothes donations efforts, giving talks and even setting up a library.

He said his grown-up daughter Laura has since become a social worker at the Ley Community, adding: "I'm extremely proud."

Tonight's talk runs from 7pm to 9.30pm at the Ley Community in Sandy Lane and aims to remind residents that 'change is possible'.

It is open to current residents, ex-residents, their friends and families, and supporters in the community.