Lois Maxwell, who played Miss Moneypenny throughout the James Bond reigns of Sean Connery, George Lazenby and Roger Moore, has celebrated her 75th birthday in Perth, the capital of West Australia. Maxwell was in Australia to visit her son Christian Marriot.

In fine Bond tradition, Ms Maxwell arrived for the birthday in a 1962 Aston Martin and was led to a replica Moneypenny office desk where she admitted party guests only after they kissed her hand and threw a hat on to a hatstand.

Maxwell was also treated to a special phone call from long time friend, and former Bond actor, Roger Moore. "Roger, you are a darling," Ms Maxwell said. "When they told me that a secret voice was going to speak to me I said that the only one it could be was Roger."

And in typical style Moore told Maxwell "I didn't realise you were older than I am. Otherwise I would have called you Madam." Moore doesn't turn 75 till October.

Thanks to 'Nexus' for the tip-off about the news!