John Lennon has given "message from the grave" - on a TV show. Psychics on the show claim the late Beatle - who was shot dead in New York in 1980 by crazed fan Mark Chapman - told them to "give peace a chance". The show - which was only available to watch via pay-per-view - also said Lennon's spirit had helped the producers to record a new song.

During the program, an image of Lennon appeared in one séance and psychics claimed it was an "electronic interference" from the spirit world. The show was created by the team who controversially tried to contact Princess Diana's ghost. Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow, has slammed the show, calling it "tacky" and "exploitive".

Livid Beatles fans have branded it an exploitive TV stunt. Richard Porter, events manager of the British Beatles fan club is quoted in Daily Star newspaper as saying: "People should stop doing cheap tacky stunts. They should let his music live on and speak for itself."

In the program, British psychic Joe Power claimed he could feel the songwriter's ghost in Liverpool's Cavern Club - where the stunt was held - even though the original venue where the Beatles played was demolished in 1973.

Later in the show, an Indian 'spirit guru' said he could channel Lennon's music. The lyrics, sent from beyond the grave, read: "We all feel, we all bleed. We have to learn to live together. Peace. Make peace."