The photograph came from an anonymous collector

The 1958 picture of the 17-year-old Beatles legend wearing a camel hair coat and with a quiff was uncovered by the BBC's Inside Out North West.

Lennon was pictured on Liverpool's Lime Street with friend Nigel Walley, who has not seen it for almost 50 years.

Mr Walley said he gave the photo to his brother, who he believes it was stolen from his school desk.

'Amazing lapels'

"Goodness knows where it got to since then," said Mr Walley, who now lives in Clacton, Essex.

"It's very emotional for me seeing this photo again after all these years. John was a very good friend of mine.

"One thing I know John would have loved, was seeing this photograph. It's something I'll always treasure now."

He recalled that the photographer took an interest in them because of their camel coats with their "amazing lapels".

"I recognise my writing on the back of it. I've put 5 May, 1958. Lime Street. I haven't a clue what we were doing then - just a couple of lads out in town larking about probably. But we look happy then."

Mr Walley was the manager of The Quarrymen, the band which was the forerunner of The Beatles.

The photograph came to light after an anonymous collector who bought it at an auction came forward.