Yoko Ono pleas for love

Yoko Ono gave a heartfelt plea for John Lennon to be remembered "with deep love and respect" on 30th anniversary of his murder today. As she spoke yesterday of her continued love for the star, she said, "On this tragic anniversary, please join me in remembering John with deep love and respect.""In his short-lived life of 40 years, he has given so much to the world.  "The world was lucky to have known him. We still learn so much from him today. John, I love you."

Ono, who was beside Lennon when he was gunned down in New York 30 years ago today, will lead the tributes as millions of people pay their respects to the Imagine singer.

She will perform at a charity concert she has organised in Japan called Dream Power John Lennon Super Live.

Jerry Goldman from the Beatles Story, a museum dedicated to the band, was behind the European Peace Monument coming to Liverpool.

He said: "Although the European Peace Monument has only been on public display for just over a month, it's already taken on a global significance of its own.

"People from all over the world are coming to the city to pay their respects and consider Lennon's message of peace through his music.

"The city is very excited that we finally have a focal point at which to remember Lennon and look forward to a vigil that will reach out to people the world over."

The vigil of remembrance will last from 8pm to 9:30pm.

Lennon was shot dead outside the Dakota building where the couple lived in Manhattan on 8 December, 1980, two months after his 40th birthday.

Fans on the other side of the Atlantic are expected to pay their respects at the Strawberry Fields memorial garden in Central Park, directly opposite the spot where he was shot by crazed fan Mark Chapman.