WULSTAN Atkins, godson of composer Edward Elgar, died at his home in Wolvingham, Surrey, on Monday night, aged 98.

Mr Atkins, MBE, devoted much of his time to preserving the memory and works of his godfather and close friend.

He was president of the Elgar Foundation, based in Lower Broadheath, and has a room named after him at the Elgar Birthplace Museum.

Mr Atkins was named after St Wulstan's RC church, Little Malvern, where Elgar was buried.

"Wulstan was an extraordinary generous man who was loved by all who knew him," said Michael Messenger, chairman of the Elgar Birthplace management committee. "We owe him an enormous debt. He made the museum what it is today by donating many of the exhibits, including some original manuscripts. These were very precious to him, but he wanted to share his link with Elgar with everyone else.

"I believe his father was a great friend of Elgar and Wulstan himself became close to the composer. In fact, he saw Elgar just 10 days before he died in 1934.

"Wulstan was a very intelligent man, who kept his mental faculties to the end. His departure has left an enormous hole in a lot of people's hearts."