Sir Paul McCartney hopes the recording studio famously used by the Beatles can be saved - after it was put up for sale by record label giant EMI. The Abbey Road recording facilities in North West London became synonymous with the Fab Four, with the band even naming their 1969 album after the building. The record's cover shot featured the Beatles crossing the road outside.

Fans across the world have since flocked to the landmark, and the studio has also been used by music greats including Michael Jackson, U2, Green Day and Pink Floyd. Bosses at EMI - who own the studios - have decided to try and recoup money lost in recent years by selling the property, which is expected to be worth an estimated $20 million.

And McCartney has expressed his concern over the sale - revealing that a consortium is desperately trying to come up with the cash to save it. He tells the BBC, "There are a few people who have been associated with the studio for a long time who were talking about mounting some bid to save it. I sympathize with them. I hope they can do something, it'd be great." (MJ/WNWCCB/CL)

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