Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs who escaped from Wandsworth prison in 1965 has apologised for his crimes and said his life has been wasted'.

The 78-year-old issued a statement saying he wants to set the record straight before his death and has asked to be allowed to live out his final days as a free man.

Biggs took part in the theft of £2.6million from a mail train in 1963 in which driver Jack Mills was hit over the head.

Mr Mills died seven years later from leukaemia, having never recovered from the ordeal.

Biggs was moved from Belmarsh high security prison in London in July and rehoused at Norwich Prison, which has a specialist hospital wing caring for severely ill offenders.

He cannot speak and is partially paralysed having suffered two heart attacks, an MRSA infection and skin cancer.

In the statement issued through his legal team, he said: "Before my death, I wish to deter those who may think of following a criminal way of life.

"All I ask is to live the remainder of my days a free man. Crime does not pay, as I have proved.

"I apologise for glamorising what should only be thought of as a wilful crime."

The statement will be sent to the Lord Chancellor and justice secretary Jack Straw.

Biggs spent 30 years on the run after scaling a rope ladder to escape Wandsworth jail.

He first fled to Paris, where he adopted a new identity. He then moved to Australia, followed by Brazil.

Ill health forced him to return to Britain in 2001, when he was immediately jailed.

Despite his minor role in the robbery, his success in evading capture made him a cult figure.