YOKO ONO has given her backing to a student project to make husband John Lennon’s childhood garden more authentic.

From the age of five, the former Beatle lived at Mendips, in Menlove Avenue, in Woolton, with his Aunt Mimi and Uncle George between 1945 and 1963.

And while the building itself – which continues to be a global magnet for Beatles fans – is contemporary to the year 1957, the garden is not a totally accurate reflection of the time.

Although some elements have lasted the test of time, such as Aunt Mimi’s apple trees, the garden contains some modern breeds of plants.

Now history degree students at the University of Chester are vying to establish the type of plants that would have featured in the garden at Mendips and neighbouring properties at the time.

They are appealing for help from John’s neighbours at the time so they can draw up an authentic plan of the garden based on how it was in 1957 – which is the year John met Paul McCartney.

The findings will be made available to the National Trust, who run Mendips, with the eventual hope of adding the plants identified.

Giving the project her complete backing, John’s widow, Yoko Ono, said: “I am thrilled to hear that John’s childhood home Mendips can be used for educational purposes and that it continues to inspire everyone who visits.”