A dentist is planning to clone John Lennon from one of his rotten teeth.

Canadian doctor Michael Zuk bought the late star's decaying gnasher for £20,000 at an auction two years ago in Britain and is now hoping - with the help of scientists - to extract the late singer's DNA from it so he can create a genetic copy of the Beatles legend.

Speaking to examiner.com, Dr Zuk said: ''If scientists think they can clone mammoths, then John Lennon could be next.

''To potentially say I had a small part in bringing back one of rock's greatest stars would be mind-blowing.''

The Beatles rocker - who was shot dead by a crazed fan in New York in 1980 - had given the decomposed molar to his housekeeper Dorothy Jarlett after it was pulled out by a dentist in the 60s.

Doctor Zuk had been using the mouldy tooth to promote cancer awareness but has now sent a chunk of its enamel to the lab for DNA extraction.

He explained: ''I am nervous and excited at the possibility that we will be able to fully sequence John Lennon's DNA, very soon I hope.

''Many Beatles fans remember where they were when they heard John Lennon was shot. I hope they also live to hear the day he was given another chance.''