LORD Montagu is no stranger to the world of espionage.

His half-sister Elizabeth Varley, pictured, was smuggled into Switzerland during the war and worked as an intelligence officer for the British secret service.

She translated sensitive information coming out of Germany and used her linguistic skills to debrief a German double agent.

Mrs Varley, who died two years ago, formed a theatre group as a cover and later carved out a career in the film industry. She began the war by working as a volunteer driver with the Mechanised Transport Corps in France.

In her autobiography, Mrs Varley recalled the moment she chose to stay in Europe rather than join other military personnel being evacuated across the Channel.

She wrote: "It seemed like a bad dream. While everyone pushed and struggled to get on board, I merely stood back and watched them.

"But I have never regretted it, for that decision proved to be the beginning of a new and extraordinary phase of my life."