Abbey Road recording studios in London have been given Grade II listed status by the Government.

The move comes just days after speculation that the building was the be solved by owners EMI, who have now vowed to retain it.

Abbey Road's listed status was granted on the advice of English Heritage on the grounds of the property's historic significance.

The building in St John's Wood, which opened in 1929, is now protected from any radical renovation plans

Abbey Road grew to prominence in the 1960s when The Beatles used it to record the majority of their albums.

It has since been used by the likes of Muse, Radiohead and Pink Floyd.

Last week, reports that claimed the studios were to be sold prompted calls from Sir Paul McCartney, the National Trust and Andrew Lloyd Webber for it to be saved.

(by Jason Gregory)