THE grave of “the Fifth Beatle” has been lovingly restored by a keen fan after years of neglect and ruin. Stuart Sutcliffe, who was the original bassist of The Beatles for 18 months, in the early 1960s, lies in a grave in Huyton.

Known for his famous “mop-top” hairstyle, the founding member of the Fab Four died suddenly of a suspected brain haemorrhage in 1962.

He had left the band to pursue an art career, with many critics predicting fame and fortune, but instead his sudden death left him in a neglected grave close to his childhood home.

But a keen Beatles fan who has made it his mission to restore famous landmarks connected to the Fab Four has now turned his attention to the fallen grave.

Less than two months after he painted the gates of Strawberry Field in the original pillar box red, Colin Unwin has cleared and tidied the granite grave.

Colin, 61, said: “After the sad tale of Strawberry Fields, I wanted to tidy up Stuart’s grave. He was the forgotten Beatle and contributed so much to the band in its founder years.

“Before there was John and Paul, there was John and Stuart and it broke my heart to see his grave so neglected and at a 45 degree angle.”

Colin, who travels to Liverpool from Manchester, paid a stonemason to repair and upright the headstone before he re-painted the gold name letters.

Colin said: “I would have paid any amount of money to have it done. It doesn’t look like anyone has been maintaining it and it was close to toppling over.

“Fourteen years ago, during a visit to Strawberry Fields, I picked one of the flowers and planted it in my garden.

“I have now transferred this purple flower and planted it next to Stuart’s grave for the many fans who visit his grave to appreciate.”