London's iconic Abbey Road recording studios could be acquired by the National Trust (NT) after it was reported that current owner EMI was planning to offload the property.

The trust is considering launching a campaign to save the studios - made famous by The Beatles during the 1960s - following "astonishing" public reaction to plans to sell off the St John's Wood facility. BBC radio listeners contacted the Chris Evans Breakfast show and the Five Live Breakfast show to urge the NT to acquire Abbey Road, while Evans and Sir Paul McCartney also suggested a role for the trust in saving the venue.

A trust spokespersons said: "It's not often that the public spontaneously suggests that we should acquire a famous building. However, Abbey Road recording studios appear to be very dear to the nation's heart - to the extent that we will take soundings as to whether a campaign is desirable or even feasible." It is estimated that a deal to secure the studios would cost anywhere between £10m and £30m.