Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has taken Nancy Shevell, who is rumoured to be his girlfriend, on a road trip along Route 66 in America.

The pair, who are travelling in a 1989 Ford Bronco, began their journey from McCartney's holiday home in the Hamptons, New York last week.

Details of their 3,000 mile trip emerged after McCartney posed for pictures with fans in the town of Springfield. The former Beatle can be seen putting his thumbs up in the photos.

“They looked totally in love. Nancy jumped at the chance to take the picture of Paul with us,” one Springfield resident said.

"They told us they were on a trip and going on to St Louis before heading west.

"No one could believe that it was really him - he was so laid back and ordinary. They seemed a great couple."

The journey, expected to last the whole of August, will take in Oklahoma and Albuquerque before ending in Santa Monica, California.

(by Jason Gregory)