A CAMPAIGN group including Worcestershire and Herefordshire MPs has formed to win a stay of execution for Sir Edward Elgar as the face of the £20 note.

West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer and Mid- Worcestershire MP Peter Luff are among those who have joined forces with the Elgar Foundation's chairman to keep the composer in place until after his 150th anniversary celebrations next year.

Elgar's face has appeared on the denomination together with images from his work the Dream of Gerontius and the west face of Worcester Cathedral since June 1999, replacing the face of scientist Sir Michael Faraday.

However, the Worcester News reported on Tuesday how the Bank of England has announced the renowned Worcestershire composer's face will be dropped in favour of Scottish philosopher and economist Adam Smith from next spring.

But a House of Commons motion has now been tabled calling for a delay in replacing the image of Elgar, famous for a string of memorable early 20th century symphonies and concertos, until 2008.

Mr Luff said: "We understand the design of bank notes has to change from time to time, but this is profoundly the wrong time to make this particular change.

"We're emphatically not saying Adam Smith is a poor choice, just a badly timed one."

The motion has also been signed by Conservative Leominster MP Bill Wiggin, Liberal Democrat MP for Hereford Paul Keetch and Peter Ainsworth - Tory MP for East Surrey and chair of the Elgar Foundation.

Sir Michael and Worcester MP Mike Foster have both written to the Governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, protesting against the plans and to delay the change until 2008.

He said: "I do hope the governor will reconsider this decision and to extend the honour of featuring on a £20 note for one more year to one of the county's most famous sons."