Paul McCartney has pledged jis support in saving Abbey Road after it was reported that the studio could be sold in EMI's drive to raise money.

Speaking on the BBC's Newsnight programme, the former Beatle, who recorded all but one of his former band's albums at the establishment, said:

'I have so many memories there with the Beatles, It still is a great studio. So it would be lovely for someone to get a thing together to save it.' McCartney went on to say that a venture to stop the studio closing has been mooted by 'a few people who have been associated with the studio for a long time'.

The long-list of Abbey Road's illustrious clients include The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Oasis, U2 and Radiohead.

Meanwhile, members of the public have been calling for the National Trust to buy the property. "It's not often that the public spontaneously suggests that we should acquire a famous building," said a spokesman. The Trust has already bought the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney in Liverpool.