Forty years ago, Ronnie and Reggie Kray, England’s most notorious gangsters were jailed for life at the Old Bailey for the brutal murder of Jack ‘The Hat’ McVitie.

The brothers lured the gangster to a basement flat, and Ronnie pinned down the screaming man while his psychotic brother stabbed him to death. And on Saturday, 76 years after the twins were born in the East End which they would end up ruling with terror, their old friends and enemies will get together for a reunion.

Hundreds of devotees of these vicious gangsters will gather in London to celebrate the Krays and raise money for Leukaemia Research.

Gangland legends such as ex bank robber and bare knuckle boxer Roy Shaw, the twins’ driver Billie Frost, henchman Chris Lambrianou (whose great nephew has been diagnosed with Leukaemia), Firm member Eric Mason and former enemy Charlie Richardson will bury the hatchet for charity.

Jewel thief Lenny Hamilton – once branded with a red hot poker by Ronnie Kray – will also be at the event, along with the Krays’ cousin Carol Fitzgerald and underworld figures from the younger generation such as former football hooligans Carlton Leech, Jason Marriner and Cass Pennant.

The Krays, who ran a protection empire across London and a string of West End nightclubs became iconic figures in the 1960s, mixing with celebrities such as David Bailey, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland.

But they were also ruthless criminals. Ronnie Kray gunned down George Cornell in a Whitechapel pub for calling him a ‘fat poof’, and they tortured their victims.

Reggie Kray died in October 2000 after 31 years in jail, five years after the death of Ronnie.

Tickets are available for £20 from playersinc@hotmail.com or 0795 018 0922. The event is being held at the Worship Bar, Triton Court, Finsbury Square, London.