Abbey Road Studios - made famous after being used for recording by the likes of The Beatles and Pink Floyd - has been classified as Grade II-listed.

Recent speculation over the future of the landmark buildings, which it was understood could be put up for sale by owner EMI, was ended when Culture Minister Margaret Hodge announced the listing, made on the advice of English Heritage.

The St John's Wood studios are world-famous as the major recording home of The Beatles, as well as hosting many other famous artists from across the musical spectrum, including Dame Shirley Bassey, Iron Maiden, Michael Jackson and Sir Edward Elgar.

MP Mrs Hodge said: “Music – of whichever genre - is the thread that follows us through all our lives and Abbey Road Studios have produced some of the very best music in the world.

"It’s a testament to both the importance of music in people’s lives as well as the passion this kind of issue stirs up, that so much interest has been generated by the perceived threat to the future of Abbey Road.

“Whether your tastes are for classical, hard rock or pop music, one of your favourites is more than likely to have recorded at Abbey Road."

And she said she had a personal favourite from the Abbey Road back-catalogue.

"My favourite song of all time, 'If I fell' by The Beatles, was recorded there in 1964, and to have played a part in preserving this world-famous venue is as exciting for me as hearing that song for the first time. Well, almost,” she said.

Listing status can be conferred either through its architectural or historic merit.

Number 3 Abbey Road itself is an 1830s villa, whose interior was completely transformed by the decision to turn the building into a purpose-built recording studio, combining performance space and technical facilities to enable the recording of the performances.

This means that listing status has been granted overwhelmingly on the historic merit of the studios.

The listed status will ensure that, although changes to the interior are not prohibited, care must be taken to ensure that any alterations with respect to its character and interest are fully considered.

The Abbey Road Studios have been listed in acknowledgement of their outstanding cultural interest and to ensure that recording artists for generations to come can continue to make and record music in the same rooms as musical icons of years gone by.