The lyrics differ from the final version

Mr Tessier said he did not know it was genuine until he took the document - which he had kept at home - to Christie's for valuation six years ago.

But Sir Paul's lawyer, Richard Meade, told the court Mr Tessier must have known it was genuine at the time of buying it.

Emotional value

He said Mr Tessier would have realised the value of the document when he bought it for around �10, representing 10% of his total budget for his holiday at the time in the UK.

Mr Meade told Mr Justice Laddie that Sir Paul had written the song for John Lennon's son Julian, to help him get over his parents divorce and therefore had great emotional value.

Sir Paul wrote the lyrics between 1967-68

Sir Paul believes the lyrics must have gone missing during one of a series of break-ins at his home in St John's Wood or had been taken by someone working for him.

But Richard Morgan, acting on behalf of Christie's, asked why, if it had such sentimental value, did he not report the loss the police.

Deep pockets

He also suggested that if it had such great personal value then Sir Paul should bid for it himself at auction in case he later loses the right to keep it.

Mr Justice Laddie dismissed this, saying: "Sir Paul would be made to bid at auction for something he thinks is his property.

"Everybody knows he has a deep pocket and the price will go up and up.

"He may have to keep on bidding, against the risk that his claim to be the owner of the document may not resolve in his favour at trial."

Sir Paul wrote the song for Lennon's son Julian

The document will remain at Christie's in South Kensington until its fate is decided either by agreement or trial.

Christie's has already indicated it will not get involved in any action over ownership.

Mr Justice Laddie halted the sale because the lyrics could end up going abroad if sold in auction, making a future decision about ownership much harder.

He expressed his wishes that both sides could reach an agreement without more court action.