Worldwide interest for Beatles single at auction

By 1964, The Beatles (pictured at the Ipswich Gaumont) were international stars

A rare early Beatles single is expected to sell for up to £9,000 at auction after it attracted interest from bidders across the globe.

The 1962 demonstration record contains the band's hit songs Love Me Do and P.S I Love You and is one of only 250 in the world.

It is unique due to Paul McCartney's surname being incorrectly spelt as "McArtney", vinyl specialist Rob Smee said.

The seven-inch vinyl would go under the hammer at Stacey's Auctioneers' sale in Chelmsford, Essex, on Monday.

The single is expected to fetch between £7,000 and £9,000 when it goes under the hammer in Essex

It was part of a select number of tracks pressed and distributed to TV and radio stations prior to the record's release on 5 October 1962.

Mr Smee said the auction house had received inquiries from Beatles fans across the world ahead of the sale.

"This is an especially rare Beatles single from the very earliest days of the band’s career," he said.

"Being one of only 250 it is of particular interest to Beatles’ collectors and the misspelling of Paul McCartney’s name is both authentic and interesting in itself."

The vinyl was estimated to sell for between £7,000 and £9,000.