If it's legitimate, and it might not be, Apple would be keen to hear it in order to decide if it is unique

Beatles' spokesman Geoff Baker

According to Mrs Bowden the tapes contain known Beatles numbers and an unreleased song called Watching Rainbows, as well as the band talking and laughing during practice sessions.

She said Mr Dross was allowed to sit in on these sessions.

"He told us he followed them wherever they went.

Legitimate?

"Music was his passion and I think The Beatles let him record them practising," she said.

Beatles spokesman Geoff Baker said today that he was keen to hear the tapes, but thought it unlikely they would reveal anything new.

Mr Baker said: "If it's legitimate, and it might not be, Apple would be keen to hear it in order to decide if it is unique."

Last year Revolver was voted best album ever by Q magazine

But he said that if they were recorded at Beatles sessions at Abbey Road, then they would be the property of Apple or EMI.

No big deal

"So any ideas that someone has just won the lottery, that is not the case," he said.

"Every Beatles session at Abbey Road would have been recorded anyway, so Apple and EMI would have them."

Mr Baker said he had not heard of Watching Rainbows, but it could be a working title.

"If the lady would like to send it, I'm sure Apple will be interested to hear it.

"It doesn't look like it's some massive Eureka discovery. It's not a big deal," he said.