Not too many people are aware of the etiquette followed before you shoot somebody in the leg: ask them to remove their trousers first, otherwise particles of material get into the wound and turn it septic.

Ron Kray overlooked such niceties when he fell out with Teddy Berry, and the inevitable result was that Teddy lost his leg.

This is one of the tales explained in the first book saluting the achievements of the terrible East London trio since Reg Kray died on October 1.

He may be still warm in the family grave, but Ron's widow, Kate Kray, was handily placed to win the race to the bookstalls with the help of some hardmen to reminisce fondly about old times.

The end product, cobbled together in a few weeks, is a curious mix of savagery and homespun recollections which might lead some to believe that the twins were mostly a pair of lovable old softies.

The problem was that whenever Ron was irritated, somebody had to hit the deck. Even Oliver Reed took the dive on one famous occasion, when the celebrated actor's chat-up lines were deemed by Ron to be a little too fruity.

Old stories about Lord Boothby are lovingly retold too - including the sudden and unexplained death of a young man who was sharing his affections - for a suitable fee - between the peer and a celebrated doctor in Harley Street.

Kate Kray's theory is that the twins had to stay inside until the end of their lives, because they had penetrated so deeply into the British establishment.

More interesting are her revelations of the financial operations which Ron Kray was allowed to run, under the noses of the authorities, during his year in Broadmoor.

Kate was one day despatched on a mission to collect £85,000 from a High Street bank in Waterlooville - the brothers' fee for helping with the hit film The Krays, which starred the Kemp brothers from pop group Spandau Ballet.

There's also a terrifying glimpse of life in Broadmoor. Unlock by 7am, into the day room by 9am and all day in front of a blaring television until 9pm. No wonder the patients struggle to get much better.

£14.99 (Blake Publishing)