The Beatles' first contract with Brian Epstein sells for £275,000

The Beatles' first contract with their long-standing manager Brian Epstein has sold for £275,000 at auction.

The document was the first of two contracts drawn up between Epstein and The Beatles before the four-piece found fame.

Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and original drummer Pete Best, signed the document on January 24 1962.

Months later, at the behest of Epstein, Ringo Starr replaced Best following the band's first recording session at Abbey Road Studios in London.

Epstein is credited with transforming the group from talented youngsters into bona fide recording artists.> He was responsible for finding the band work and publicity, and eventually secured them George Martin of the prestigious EMI group to produce their records.> The contract, however, was never signed by Epstein, often described as The Fifth Beatle.> Before his death in 1967 aged 32, he said he had chosen not to sign so The Beatles would not be bound to him.>