It was half a century ago that Bury St Edmunds photographer Tom Murray was asked to drive another snapper to a Beatles photoshoot – now 50 years on he will see one of his images of the Fab Four made into a bronze statue.

Mr Murray, who is now a Bury town councillor, was working as The Sunday Times Magazine photographer when – on July 28, 1968 – he was asked to give a colleague a lift to a session in London.

He was told to bring his camera along and took 23 shots of the influential group, one of which is now being made into a statue by famous sculptor Andrew Edwards – who made the imposing Beatles statue in Liverpool.

Reflecting on the famous day - coined the ‘Mad Day Out’ by the photographer – Mr Murray said: “One of the other photographers said he was photographing a pop group and asked would I drive them around.

“He said, ‘bring your camera’, and we turned up at a rehearsal room and someone was playing Lady Madonna. I walked in and it was Paul McCartney.

East Anglian Daily Times: Former Sunday Times snapper Tom Murray with his photographs of The Beatles Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNFormer Sunday Times snapper Tom Murray with his photographs of The Beatles Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

“I only took 23 images, and threw out the ones I didn’t like.

“I did almost nothing with them until John Lennon was shot in New York and I remembered the pictures. There was one of John lying pretending to be dead, but they thought it was a bit spooky.”

His image of Sir Paul McCartney appearing to fall off the roof of a building as the group hold onto each other, which was taken as part of the session, will now be immortalised in bronze.

A mini version of the statue has already been made and is in New York.

East Anglian Daily Times: Tom Murray with the mini bronze statue of his image. A full size version may be placed in central London Picture: RUPERT NYETom Murray with the mini bronze statue of his image. A full size version may be placed in central London Picture: RUPERT NYE (Image: Rupert Nye)

It is hoped the full-size statue will be placed at the site the photograph was taken – near Old Street Station in central London.

Mr Murray, who lives in Bury, said: “I am very proud that the image will be made into a statue. Andrew really understood the depth and breadth of the picture.”

It may be two years before a decision is made to place the statue but a book detailing the ‘Mad Day Out’ is now available worldwide.

Mr Murray has supported a range of international, national, and local charities by auctioning his work, of which some has been signed by Sir Paul and Sir Ringo.

East Anglian Daily Times: Former Sunday Times snapper Tom Murray with his photographs of The Beatles Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNFormer Sunday Times snapper Tom Murray with his photographs of The Beatles Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Mr Murray says around £9million has been raised for charity over a 20-year period with his own personal fundraising total at £1.5m.

East Anglian Daily Times: Former Sunday Times snapper Tom Murray with his photographs of The Beatles Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNFormer Sunday Times snapper Tom Murray with his photographs of The Beatles Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)