PLANS for a feature film inspired by a visit John Lennon made to Sutherland at the height of his fame have been dealt a potentially lethal blow by his widow, Yoko Ono.

In the summer of 1969 Lennon took his new wife to the north-coast village of Durness, where he enjoyed happy childhood holidays. But he crashed on one of the long and winding roads through the area and spent five days in the local hospital in Golspie.

Derek Yeaman, a film location manager turned writer, pieced together the story and discovered Lennon struck up an unlikely relationship with the local Free Kirk minister whose religious views were at odds with Lennon's own.

Mr Yeaman used the incident as the starting point for Mhari and the Lennons, a fictionalised story about the impact the Beatle's presence had on the local community. He also secured the backing of a top British film producer.

But Ono has refused to support the film and crucially has refused to authorise use of any songs.

Mr Yeaman said: "Apparently her Scottish experience was not a pleasant one and she did not wish to go back to these times.

"Therefore we don't get the blessing we wanted, and also the Lennon materials that would have encouraged the financiers to fund the film."

Peter Shukat, Ono's lawyer, said the couple's Highlands holiday was "not the most pleasant event" in their lives and she did not want to stir up "bad memories".

He said: "She felt that the story would not reflect great on anybody and she just wasn't real happy with it.

"I certainly can't stop you from making your movie, but we wouldn't authorise the licence of John's music."

Mr Shukat said Ono was not prepared to discuss the matter or comment directly: "She just doesn't want to be involved in the project," he said.

Stan Parkes, John Lennon's cousin, said: "It's typical Yoko."

He said Lennon wanted to bring Ono to visit the family in Edinburgh and then go up to the family's crofthouse at Durness, because he "loved" the place and hoped she would share his passion. Parkes himself was doubtful.

Mr Parkes said Ono "showed no interest" in Scotland or Durness, and "whipped John off to New York" where she felt more comfortable. Lennon was shot dead by a deranged fan near their Central Park apartment in 1980.

He said he thought Lennon would have approved of the film. "John had a happy time in the Highlands in his early life. It's a great shame," Mr Parkes said.

The film's executive producer, Nigel Wooll, whose previous credits include Miss Potter, said it would be "very difficult" to get backing without Ono's support and Lennon's songs.