BEATLES memorabilia owned by a former Gerrards Cross resident and put up for sale at around £30,000 was withdrawn from Christie's on Thursday.

A spokesman for the South Kensington auction house said they were unable to disclose any information regarding the withdrawal of the six items given to former EMI chairman Len Woods.

Mr Woods, who lived in Howards Thicket until his death on February 16, 2001, had a number of items given to him by various members of the Beatles between 1964 to 1976.

He worked for the music company for decades, holding a number of different positions, before becoming chairman and was instrumental in signing the Beatles.

The main attraction from the six lots belonging to the Woods' family were two autographed pages of track listings and a brief covering from John Lennon which was expected to fetch up to £15,000.

This is particularly interesting to Beatle fans as it proves that despite distancing himself from the group in public in the early 70s, Lennon still felt a close attachment to the band.

There were also letters, notes and postcards from George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon up for grabs ranging between £400 and £6,000.

These included an autographed thank you letter from Harrison for the television set he received from Woods for his 21st birthday.

There was also a response from Starr regarding his invitation to EMI's 75th anniversary and a note from Lennon urging Woods to listen to his latest album he made with Yoko.

However they were not all pleasant.

There were critical messages from Harrison and another from Lennon, who was unhappy with the record label over the renewal of his contract.