50th anniversary of The Beatles' Cavern debut

It is the 50th anniversary to the day that The Beatles played their first gig - at the Cavern Club in Liverpool.

The original Cavern was demolished in the 1970s to make way for a shopping centre, but there is a replica club nearby and it is holding a variety of tribute events.

Dave Jones, who organised the anniversary event, told the BBC: "It's great for us, it's great for the city and it just demonstrates how evergreen the music of The Beatles is."

One fan said he came to Liverpool 20 years ago after meeting John Lennon in a Tokyo coffee shop, and has stayed ever since.

He told the BBC: "I especially like the lyrics, especially those that John Lennon wrote - they fit with oriental culture as well."

The BBC's Laura Bicker reports from Liverpool.