Elgar fans will be delighted to learn that scholars will be working to complete the publication of the entire works of Worcester's most famous son.

The Elgar Society Edition has been formed as a charitable foundation and will be working for the next 15 years to complete the task.

News about the ambitious project was due to be announced today during a ceremony at St James's Palace, London to mark the centenary of the first performance of Sir Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches 1 and 2.

"Many people will be astonished to hear that some of Elgar's music has never been published," said Andrew Neill, chairman of the Elgar Society Edition.

"Elgar's portrait is now an everyday sight on our £20 notes and his choral works, symphonies, and chamber music are frequently played.

"Yet some of this great composer's work has never been printed and many other works have not had the scholarly editorial attention they need for a definitive edition to be produced."

The publisher, Novello, was going to produce a complete edition in 1981, in 43 volumes, but only 14 were eventually printed.

An editorial board has now been formed to resume the task of completing the work.

The first volume, The Wand of Youth Suites, was set to be published today.

Parts of these suites date back to Elgar's childhood when he wrote incidental music for plays performed by his brothers and sisters.

"We hope to complete the full edition in about 15 years, publishing two volumes a year," said Mr Neill.

"This will require careful academic research, attention to detail and the finest production values.

"They will not be cheap to produce but we want to make them available to as wide an audience as possible."

Details of how to buy the volumes are available from John Norris, The Elgar Society Edition, 20 High Street, Rickmansworth, Herts, WD3 1ER.