THE widow of the man who inspired James Bond's Q character has revealed some of his ingenious gadgets, which feature in dozens of Bond movies.

Charles Fraser-Smith was Ian Fleming's inspiration for 007's trusty aide.

Chessmen filled with ink, matches doubling as compasses, and playing cards hiding maps were some of his inventions.

Mr Fraser-Smith's widow, Selina, told a packed Northumbria University audience anecdotes of her late husband's exploits.

She travelled to Tyneside clutching some of his best gadgets -including shoelace saws and pipes concealing maps.

Mrs Fraser-Smith, 83, said: "For a long time, he could not tell anyone about it because of the Official Secrets Act.

"It was fascinating to learn about all the things he had done.

"Charles and Desmond Llewelyn, who of course played Q, were good friends."

Mr Fraser-Smith was employed by MI6, but his cover was as a worker for the Ministry of Supply.

His gadgets were supplied to secret agents, prisoners of war and the SAS during the Second World War.

Many of them went on to be mimicked in Fleming's books and to feature in the films.

The lecture was organised by Geoff Pattison, of Stanley, County Durham, who said: "She is a fascinating lady and is living history herself."