A new exhibition follows the Beatles around Liverpool on 19 February, 1963 - the day they learned they had scored their first number one single with Please Please Me.

Photographer Michael Ward travelled up from London to capture the band in their hometown. "I wasn't interested in them," he recalls. "I didn't know who they were."

In stark contrast to the Beatlemania that would break out over the coming months, the pictures show the band followed by a small band of calm fans.

Ward says it was nearly impossible to get a formal shot of the band, who kept cracking jokes and chatting amongst themselves.

A forerunner of the iconic Abbey Road album cover, this shot on a zebra crossing is missing Paul McCartney as he is hidden behind Ringo Starr. It was too cold to re-stage the picture.

The fab four eventually made their way to manager Brian Epstein's office in Whitechapel, ahead of a performance at the Cavern Club.

During rehearsals, the photographer was struck by the close musical relationship between McCartney and Lennon.

There was a small moment of panic when Ward realised he had forgotten to bring a flash to shoot the concert - but he was helped by the stage lights.

Ward's photographs of the Beatles can be seen at London's Square One Gallery until 4 March 2008. A limited edition box set of the photos is also available from Genesis Publications.