John Lennon lived in the house from the age of five

The semi-detached property in Menlove Avenue was gifted to the National Trust by the Beatle's widow Yoko Ono and has attracted more than 7,000 visitors.

The first custodian, Matthew Whitfield, is moving on and the trust is looking for someone else for the job.

Candidates must have in-depth knowledge of the Lennon family during the time they owned the house, known as Mendips.

'Living interpretation'

Simon Osborne, the trust's Liverpool properties manager, said: "Emphasis is very much on an ability to help with the living interpretation of the house."

The new custodian will be expected to live in the property from mid-March to October 2004.

Lennon lived in the semi-detached house with his Aunt Mimi from the age of five.

The National Trust runs joint tours of Mendips and Sir Paul McCartney's former family home in Forthlin Road.

Both properties re-open to the public on 27 March.