IT was a case of Land Of Soap And Glory as conservation experts gave the statue of Sir Edward Elgar, in Worcester's High Street, an annual clean. Stephen Geraghty, from from Russcott Conservation, spent more than two days ensuring the composer was scrubbed up for the forthcoming pomp and circumstance of the Victorian Fayre.

A fine marble dust spray and hot water spray was used to clear chewing gum from the steps. The spray was then used to remove dirt and rust from the statue.

A wax covering was then added to preserve the monument for the next year. The efforts followed cleaning work on two other city monuments, one at The Cross and the other near the Cathedral, in the past fortnight.