A FORGOTTEN piece of music written by one of Britain's most influential composers is due to be played for the very first time at a church Christmas concert.

A little-known arrangement of Oh Come all ye Faithful for the flute and strings by Edward Elgar will be played at All Saints Church in Woodford Wells after being rediscovered by its choir master Geoff Hodgkins.

Mr Hodgkins, who is also chairman of the London branch of the Elgar Society, found the piece at the British Library while looking for material for a lecture on the Edwardian composer.

The grandfather-of-one, of Firs Walk, Woodford Green, said the unfinished work - which will be performed for the first time at the church's News of Great Mirth Christmas concert - shows early signs of the composer's trademark style.

He said: "He was a teenager when he wrote this, so it may not be obvious straight away for some that it's Elgar.

"He was self-taught, and learned how to compose by reading books from his father's shop, so he would have been developing his own musical style at the time.

"The work has two variations, and a third which was never started. It's pretty much certain the arrangement was never played."

Mr Hodgkins, 66, worked for two days to copy Elgar's work by hand at the library before practising it with a group of musicians.

He said: "It was tiring work copying it down, because you have to concentrate on keeping it completely accurate.

"Elgar was a complicated character, and I'm not sure I would have necessarily personally liked him if I'd known him.

"But his music is wonderful. You can really hear his emotions in his work."

All of the money collected during the event at the church, in Inmans Row, on December 15, will go towards supporting the work of Haven House Children's Hospice.

Tickets, which cost £5 each and include a free mince pie and mulled wine, can be bought on the night, or by calling the church on: 8504 0266.

The concert begins at 8pm.