The couple say they were thrilled to receive Yoko Ono's call

Andrew and Christine Gale are spending the day in bed at their home in Station Way in Addingham, West Yorkshire, as a protest against the war in Iraq.

On Valentine's Day they held a similar day in bed inspired by Yoko Ono and John Lennon's famous love-in for peace at the Amsterdam Hilton in 1969.

Mrs Gale said: "Yoko told me 'It's good to speak to you. We're supporting you. We're all sisters together.'"

The phone call came about following the intervention of the EMI record company.

Mrs and Mrs Gale, who are both 39, also explained that listening to John Lennon songs such as Imagine and Give Peace a Chance inspired the bed protest.

Yoko Ono is an opponent of the war

"John Lennon is sadly dead," Mrs Gale said, "but here is Yoko Ono supporting us."

Yoko Ono, 70, is one of the leading US critics of the war with Iraq.

Before the outbreak of fighting, she booked a series of advertisements in major American newspapers urging the country not to go to war.

Mr Gale, who is a television scriptwriter, said: "We are completely against this war which we think is illegal.

"Staying in bed is one way of getting our message across."

Once their 24 hour protest ends, Mrs and Mrs Gale intend to get up for a few hours to stretch their legs.

"It's not easy being in bed for so long," Mr Gale explained.