BEATLES - GROUPS PLAN SGT PEPPER TRIBUTE

Some of Britain's biggest bands are set to record a tribute version of the Beatles' classic Sgt Pepper album.

Acts including Oasis, Kaiser Chiefs, The Killers and The Fratellis will record songs off the groundbreaking 1967 album.

Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, to give it its full title, was the Beatles' eighth studio album and came amid a burst of creative energy after the group, having taken a lengthy break, had abandoned live performances for good.

The concept album revolutionised studio recording and regularly features close to the top of 'best record ever' polls.

Other tracks will be recorded by Razorlight, James Morrison and Travis, all of which will be recorded by sound engineer Geoff Emerick with the original four-track equipment used by the Fab Four themselves.

Their efforts will be broadcast on June 2nd as part of a special programme on BBC Radio 2. The station's controller, Lesley Douglas, said the "unique radio event" would also be "a very special musical moment".

"The range and quality of artists involved ensure that this will be a fitting tribute to one of the great albums of all time," she said.