PAINTINGS by a friend of the composter Edward Elgar are currently on show in the art gallery at Malvern Library.

Arthur Troyte Griffith was a renowned architect and artist who lived and worked in Malvern from the late 19th century until his death in 1942.

He was a close friend of Elgar and became the inspiration for one of the Enigma Variations.

Troyte Griffith designed many fine buildings and houses in the Malvern area including All Saints Church, Lower Wyche. He also designed the Toposcope at the summit of the Worcestershire Beacon.

He was also a prolific painter in watercolours and produced beautiful paintings of local landscapes and buildings.

The paintings on display at the library in Graham Road were bequeathed to the library's art collection by Edward Elgar's daughter in 1967.

According to her letter to the head librarian, these pictures were originally planned to be exhibited in the Elgar Birthplace Museum, but due to a lack of space there, she offered them to the library collection.

The exhibition, which also includes original artefacts, research articles and books relating to Troyte Griffith, is on until Wednesday, February 28.