ALAN Elgar is as famous in Newnham and Blakeney as his distant relative Edward – too much so, he reckons, as he is desperate for a few Sundays off serving as church organist in both!

Alan is appealing for an organist to help him out on his busy schedule – no fewer than three services each Sunday under normal circumstances, plus choir practice sessions in the week.

"I would just love to meet someone who is prepared to sit down and work out a schedule with me," said Alan.

"Obviously they would have to be a competent organist, and preferably someone who has played as a church organist before."

He said the churches, both with the same incumbent, the Rev John Seaman, had very friendly congregations, but the musical workload was just too much for one man.

"But I wouldn't give it up for anything," he said. "I feel guilty if I take a Sunday off."

Both churches have very fine manual organs – the one at Newnham dates in part back more than 100 years but now has a remote console with electric action.

And the Edward Elgar connection? "It seems he was the cousin of my great, great grandfather," said Alan.

"My grandmother apparently found out all the connections at Somerset House. Strangely though, some years later an uncle tried to work it all out but couldn't find the papers my grandmother mentioned.

"What he did do though was compare both family trees, which go back to a source in the same area, Thanet, where Elgar's family originated. It's too much of a coincidence at the same time in the late 19th century to ignore."

Anyone who feels they can help Alan can ring him on 01594 510443.