Abbey Road crossing gets listed status

The zebra crossing that features on the cover of the Beatles' Abbey Road sleeve has been given protection by the Government.

Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr are seen crossing the road in Ian Macmillan's cover shot, later emulated by dozens of other bands and their fans.

The crossing - just outside the renowned Abbey Road studios, where the Beatles recorded much of their output - has been given Grade II listing by heritage minister John Penrose.

Sir Paul welcomed the news, saying: "It's been a great year for me and a great year for the Beatles and hearing that the Abbey Road crossing is to be preserved is the icing on the cake."

It is the first such listing of its kind - such status is normally afforded only to buildings - and follows advice from English Heritage. The nearby studios were listed in February.

The 1969 album was the last to be completed by The Beatles, although the earlier recorded Let It Be was actually the last to be issued.

Its cover contributed to conspiracy theories that Sir Paul had been killed and his place in the group had been taken by a doppelganger.

The appearance of the four bandmates was said to resemble a funeral procession.