Paul Weller records Sir Paul McCartney birthday cover

Weller said Sir Paul (r) had been an "enduring inspiration" for him

Singer Paul Weller has released a cover of The Beatles' song Birthday as a 70th birthday tribute to Sir Paul McCartney.

The former Jam star said he wanted to do something to mark the occasion because the former Beatle had been "an immense and enduring inspiration".

The track - from The Beatle's White Album - will only be available to download in the UK and Ireland on Monday - Sir Paul's birthday.

Proceeds from the song will go to the War Child charity.

Speaking about the release on his <link> <caption>website</caption> <url href="http://www.paulweller.com/news.php?item=511" platform="highweb"/> </link> , Weller said he had recorded the song in 24 hours at his Black Barn studios in Ripley Surrey.

The 54-year-old said he wanted to mark Sir Paul's 70th because "it was him and his three friends that made me want to pick up a guitar in the first place".

"I saw him play live recently and he inspired me just as much as ever," Weller continued. "He was brilliant.

"I just hope he likes our little version, a token of my and the band's love for him and his music. Rock on Macca."

The 1968 track was written by Sir Paul and John Lennon and was the first track on the second disc of the White double Album.

Sir Paul and Ringo Starr performed the song together on stage in New York for Starr's 70th birthday in 2010.