John Lennon fans remember Beatle on anniversary of death

Beatles fans today pay tribute to John Lennon, who was shot 30 years ago outside an apartment block in New York. Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, is leading tributes, asking people to remember the Beatles star “with deep love and respect”.

Later, thousands of Beatles fans will gather at Chavasse Park in Liverpool to remember the local boy who became a global icon and would have been 70 this month.

The Peace and Harmony monument – in memory of Lennon – was unveiled a month ago but will be moved to Liverpool today. Jerry Goldman from The Beatles Story, a museum dedicated to the band said:

"Although the European Peace Monument has only been on public display for just over a month it's already taken on a global significance of its own.

"People from all over the world are coming to the city to pay their respects and consider Lennon's message of peace through his music.

"The city is very excited that we finally have a focal point at which to remember Lennon and look forward to a vigil that will reach out to people the world over."

Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, will give a concert tonight in Tokyo to mark the anniversary of her husband’s death.

Ono said: “The world was lucky to have known him. We still learn so much from him today. John, I love you."

This morning hundreds of musicians gathered in Liverpool to recreate a famous Beatles photograph on the steps of St George’s Hall.

John Lennon was shot on December 8, 1980, by Mark Chapman, who admitted earlier this year the murder was a “horrible decision”.