YOKO ONO spoke of John Lennon’s “humble beginnings” on Merseyside as she marked what would have been his 70th birthday with a weekend of peace-themed events in Iceland.

The celebrations in capital Reykjavik kicked off with the premiere of a documentary about Yoko’s quest to build the Imagine Peace Tower in memory of her husband.

The circular white stone structure, on the city’s Videy Island, has inscriptions of “Imagine Peace” in 24 languages. Fifteen spotlights sending light 30ft into the air are lit every year from the musician's birthday to December 8 – the day he was killed.

Yoko chose Iceland because the country is between Europe and America, and is not involved in military action.

During her visit, she also handed out peace awards and performed in a concert with son Sean, ex-Beatle Ringo Starr and the Plastic Ono Band. Yoko said she felt Lennon was still with her on her peace mission.

She said: “October 9 would have been the 70th birthday of my husband and life partner.

“John came from humble beginnings and did not enjoy a privileged early life, but he went on to change our world with songs and ideas.

"They resonate even more today than when he first gave them to us.”