While Yoko Ono has been blamed for the demise of John Lennon's involvement with The Beatles, she can be thanked for rekindling his interest in art.

Lennon, one of the world's most famous art college drop-outs, began to paint and sketch with a passion after meeting and marrying conceptual artist Yoko Ono in 1969.

Such was their attachment, the couple sang, protested and posed nude together, all of which were recorded lovingly by Lennon in his single line sketches and watercolours.

A collection of 150 works by Lennon, including never-seen-before drawings from the private collection of Yoko Ono, are being exhibited at Saddlers Row Gallery, Petworth.

The gallery is one of only four in the UK to display the touring exhibition, called Imagine, which has not visited British shores since the mid 1980s.

The work is in the country to celebrate the recent opening of the John Lennon Airport in Liverpool.

The collection gives a remarkable insight into the private life of one of rock and roll history's most famous and controversial couples.

Alongside sketches of their more radical moments, such as the Bed in for Peace protest at Amsterdam's Hilton hotel, there are also simple drawings of Yoko stroking a cat, or the couple holding hands on their honeymoon.

A previously unseen image called You Are Here is a testament to Lennon's adoration of his wife and shows the couple kissing.

There are many pictures created for and with Lennon's son, Sean, in a series called Real Love.

Lennon has drawn humorous caricatures and cartoons of animals including "dreaming birds" and "winking fish".

Adrienne Jones from the gallery said: "John did these when Sean was a little boy and you can almost imagine him with his child when he did them.

"When he and Yoko had Sean he spent a lot of time at home while she did the business side of things because I think maybe he regretted not spending time with his first son, Julian. He adored Sean."

A drawing is also on display of Sean, which Lennon entitled Beautiful Boy, to illustrate his song of the same name.

Lennon studied at the John Moores Liverpool School of Art before joining The Beatles at age 20.

Although he occasionally put pencil to paper in his years with the band, it was during his time with Yoko Ono that he produced his best and most prolific work.

The exhibition ends on Sunday. For more information ring 01798 344336.