Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney made a surprise, unheralded, visit to the public gallery of the Commons.

Sir Paul surprised staff and officials by arriving alone and stayed for about five minutes during a debate on voting reform.

Celebrities often attend the Commons as VIP guests of MPs or peers and sit in special areas of the gallery above the chamber below.

But it is rare for someone of Sir Paul's stature to arrive like any other member of the public and sit in the seated area open to any visitor to use during sitting times.

The gallery was sparsely attended at the time of his brief visit but a group of Argentinian students did spot the star and chatted to him before Sir Paul left the Palace of Westminster.