John Lennon solo albums remastered to mark birthday

John Lennon was shot dead aged 40

Albums by the late John Lennon have been digitally remastered to mark what would have been the singer's 70th birthday.

Engineers have worked with his widow Yoko Ono in New York and London's Abbey Road Studios on the project.

The eight reissued albums will include 1971's Imagine and a "stripped down" version of the 1980 LP Double Fantasy.

Ono said that she hoped the records would "help bring his incredible music to a whole new audience".

She added: "By remastering 121 tracks spanning his solo career, I hope also that those who are already familiar with John's work will find renewed inspiration from his incredible gifts as a songwriter, musician and vocalist and from his power as a commentator on the human condition.

"His lyrics are as relevant today as they were when they were first written."

The reissues also include Lennon's cover album Rock 'n' Roll (1975) and Double Fantasy, which was the final album the former Beatle released before he was murdered.

"It was whilst working on the new version of this album that I was hit hardest emotionally, as this was the last album John released before his passing," Ono said.

Lennon's 70th birthday, on 9 October, will be marked across the world.

He was shot dead in front of his home in New York on 8 December 1980, aged 40.