By David Hewitt

The zebra crossing on Abbey Road has been given listed status more than 40 years after The Beatles made it famous.

Located in the north of London, the crossing is already a major tourist draw, with fans of the Fab Four disrupting traffic as they recreate the cover of the celebrated Abbey Road album.

Now, citing its “cultural and historical importance”, English Heritage has confirmed that it is to become the first zebra crossing to be listed, with a Grade II status set to be implemented with immediate effect.

Announcing the news, Roger Bowdler, head of designation at English Heritage, explained: “This is obviously an unusual case, and although a modest structure, the crossing has international renown and continues to possess huge cultural pull – the temptation to recreate that iconic 1969 album cover remains as strong as ever.”

The recording studio of the same name, which is still in use, was given a similar status at the start of the year.

Just last week, Beatle Paul McCartney played an intimate gig at 100 Club as he rallied behind efforts to save the iconic Oxford Street venue.