FORMER gangsters Joe Pyle and Tony Lambrianou are coming to Swindon to raise money for charity.

The men, who mixed with the Kray twins, will host an evening at in The Green-bridge Pub in Bridge End Road on June 14 to support the Prospect Hospice.

Eddie Neilson, former professional heavyweight boxer, is organising the event.

Eddie, 52, from Purton, said: "We wanted to do something a bit different and these two guys will certainly have some exciting tales to tell. But the main aim is to raise as much money as possible for Prospect £3,000 is our target."

Eddie is best known for fighting one-time British and European champion Joe Bugner and former world champion heavyweight contender Frank Bruno.

Joe Pyle also a former boxer and Tony will reflect on the reign of gangsters in London's East End during the 1960s.

Tony was convicted with Ronnie and Reggie Kray in 1969 for the murder of Jack "The Hat" Mc Vitie.

And Joe Pyle has seen his fair share of life in the criminal underworld, which was recently showcased in a TV documentary called Hard Bastards. In his middleweight boxing career he only lost two of his 25 fights.

The pair have long since since turned their backs on crime and are now earning a legal living in the music industry.

Mr Neilson said: "They are fully reformed and will explain to the audience that crime doesn't pay. Tony is a record producer and Joe is also in the music industry, as well as owning his own boxing gym in Lon-don."

Besides talking about old times, the evening will give guests the opportunity to obtain signed books written by the two men titles such as Looking at Life, Inside the Firm and Getting It Straight.

There will also be a live jazz band, a raffle, a buffet and an auction of gangster memorabilia. One of the lots is a rare poster of the Kray brothers boxing on the same bill.

Gillian Richardson, community fundraiser for Prospect Hospice in Wroughton, said: "We are always delighted when members of the community take time to raise money for us. We are particularly pleased to see that people previously associated with crime are now helping charity."

Tickets cost £40. For bookings call Swindon 772712.