U2 and Paul McCartney's version of Sgt Pepper from Live 8 is already available as a fund-raising download.

U2's producer Steve Lillywhite was at Live 8 and told U2.Com that he did a 'live mix' of the track as McCartney and U2 were opening the worldwide concert at 2pm London time.

Within an hour the track was released globally for sale by Universal Music Group as a digital download on more than 200 websites.

'I was the band's ears in the mixing room,' Steve told us, a few minutes later. 'We had to make sure we had a great sound for the TV audience and also for the download.'

The recording was available 40 minutes after the performance, with the first copy downloaded five minutes later. On a day of records, this is the fastest ever online release after a major music event.

'I think it might be the first ever Beatles track on iTunes,' said Steve. 'And it's definitely a world record for the fastest ever download! I'm still amazed at how quickly it's all happened.'

Proceeds from the sales go to Live 8 which is campaigning to persuade the leaders of the richest countries to create a fairer world for the poorest countries.

The sound was recorded and mastered in London, transmitted to Universal's production centre in Hanover, Germany, and then wired to its global distribution warehouse in the United States.

You can download "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" performed by Paul McCartney and U2 from iTunes or from here