Yoko Ono has paid tribute to her late husband John Lennon, who would have celebrated his 70th birthday at the weekend.

Ono led celebrations to the former Beatle, who was killed outside his New York home in 1980.

The Plastic Ono Band were joined at a concert in Iceland on Saturday (October 9) by Beatle Ringo Starr and Lennon’s son, Sean.

Ono told the Liverpool Post: “John came from humble beginnings and did not enjoy a privileged early life, but he went on to change our world with songs and ideas.

"They resonate even more today than when he first gave them to us.”

In Liverpool, the singer’s first wife Cynthia and son Julian unveiled a monument dedicated to the star.

And in New York, Lennon's original band The Quarrymen headlined a special concert, while fans gathered to remember Lennon at Strawberry Fields in Central Park.

Along with Sir Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, Lennon pioneered music in the Beatles.

He was killed in 1980 by Mark Chapman, who earlier this year admitted that murdering the Beatle was a “horrible decision”. He has been denied parole.

(by Jason Gregory)