Lawyers representing The Beatles are attempting to block the release of German recordings, said to have been made during Ringo Starr’s first performance with the group in 1962, months before they hit global fame.

The tapes are in the possession of Florida-based company Fuego Entertainment, who intend to release a CD of the recordings, titled Jammin’ With The Beatles And Friends, Star Club, Hamburg, 1962.

The Fab Four’s record company Apple Corps has dismissed the material as “bootleg” and claims it “dilutes and tarnishes” the band’s image.

Jeffrey Collins, of Fuego Entertainment, insists: “It’s unfair to the millions of Beatles fans not to allow this recording