THEY lay hidden for decades.

But now stunning photos of The Beatles in concert in Huddersfield are to go on show.

The ‘hidden gallery’ of Beatles photos were discovered by photographer Paul Berriff in his attic after almost 50 years.

The pictures are to go on display at the Beatles Story, Pier Head, Liverpool.

The 38 black and white shots of the Fab Four on tour with singer Helen Shapiro were taken in 1963 and 1964.

The band played the ABC cinema in Market Street on November 29, 1963.

Massive crowds of screaming fans – most of them young girls – packed into the former cinema.

Now Berriff’s images show John, Paul, Ringo and George in unguarded moments, rehearsing on stage, smoking in their dressing room and relaxing with drinks and snacks.

They were snapped by Berriff after he was given unlimited access to the band just months before Beatlemania gripped the world.

After that, security was so tight around the Fab Four that just a handful of authorised photographers had access to the band.

Berriff shot the images while working as a 16-year-old editorial assistant on the Yorkshire Evening Post and is now a BAFTA award-winning photographer and documentary maker.

He says the photographs called ‘The Beatles Hidden Gallery’, will have found their rightful home when they are unveiled at the Beatles Story, Pier Head on Tuesday.

They will be on permanent display at The Beatles Story where they are expected to generate keen interest from the thousands of people who visit the attraction from across the globe. Entry to the Beatles ‘Hidden Gallery’ will be free of charge.

Jerry Goldman, MD of The Beatles Story, said: “We are delighted that these unique images are going to have a home at the Beatles Story.

“They are very revealing photos as they picture the Beatles in unguarded moments fooling around, sharing a snack and relaxing and I’m confident that our visitors will love them.

“Although they were on display in London in April, they were only on show to the public for a very short space of time. Many more people will be able to view these photos in all their glory here and they are a welcome addition to the Beatles Story, and all that we have to offer.”

Berriff, who had taken his girlfriend along to the Beatles gigs to take his pictures, said:Š “I started to root around in my attic and I found this box of about 800 negatives.

“In it were shots of these old pop groups in ’63. I was absolutely knocked out when I saw the quality and realised I should do something with them.

“I feel that the photographs are coming home to Liverpool and the Beatles Story is the most fitting place to have the images on show.”

The shots were taken at venues such as the ABC Cinema, the Odeon in Leeds and the Apollo in Manchester.

Berriff is one of the UK’s leading cinematographers, with a career spanning over 45 years. Starting out as a copy boy and press photographer at the Yorkshire Evening Post, he diversified into the world of moving pictures – becoming the youngest ever cameraman for the BBC at the age of 21.