John Lennon's 71st Birthday Marked By Yoko Ono And Fans

Yoko Ono marked John Lennon's 71st birthday in Iceland last night (October 9).

The singer switched on a light beacon, the 'Imagine Peace Tower', on Vioey Island at 9m (BST) last night. The beam of light which reaches up to 4,000 metres into the air projected the words 'Imagine Peace'.

The light on the tower is lit every year on Lennon's birthday until December 8, to coincide with the anniversary of his death.

Ono said in a statement: "I hope the 'Imagine Peace Tower' will give light to the strong wishes of world peace from all corners of the planet and give encouragement, inspiration and a sense of solidarity in a world now filled with fear and confusion. Let us come together to realise a peaceful world."

Fans also gathered across the world to pay their respects to the singer including at John Lennon's Walk of Fame at the capital Records tower in Hollywood.

Fans celebrate John Lennon's birthday