Yoko Ono has written a letter to the parole board at New York's Attica prison opposing the release of John Lennon's killer Mark Chapman, her lawyer has confirmed.

Chapman, who was jailed for 20 years to life for killing the former Beatle in 1980, will find out next week if he is entitled to early release.

In her letter, Lennon's widow said parole would “bring back the nightmare, the chaos and confusion once again”, adding: “Myself and John's two sons would not feel safe for the rest of our lives.”

Chapman, 55, shot Lennon dead outside his apartment in New York.

He is housed in a special unit apart from other prisoners at Attica and his daily tasks include cleaning up offices, reports the New York Daily News.

Meanwhile, three authorised time capsules are to be buried to mark what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday year.

The capsules will include Lennon's post-Beatles recordings, as well as contributions from fans.

(by Jason Gregory)