A NEW exhibition opens at the Elgar Birthplace Museum, Lower Broadheath later this month to celebrate the centenary of one of his best known works.

The Pomp and Circumstance Exhibition marks the anniversary of Sir Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos 1 and 2. The highlight is the display of a major Elgar manuscript on loan from the British Library - the full score of the first of the Pomp and Circumstance Marches.

"We're delighted to give local people and visitors to this area their first opportunity to see this unique and important manuscript here," said Michael Messenger, chairman of the museum's management committee.

"It's gratifying to see the trust placed in us by the country's national library, with whom we've established a very fruitful working relationship."

Visitors will also be able to see on display the arrangement of Pomp and Circumstance No 1 for cello and piano and the museum's vocal score of Land of Hope and Glory. The words to the latter were set later to Elgar's stirring march, sung on a regular basis by Last Night of the Proms audiences. The exhibition is open to the end of October during the museum's usual opening hours (daily 11am to 5pm) and is included in the museum admission charge.