DAN the dog - dumped in the Wye where his antics once inspired Sir Edward Elgar - won't make the Three Choirs Festival. But the carved wooden statue is due back by the river at the end of the month.

The theft of Dan from his riverside path plinth opposite Hereford Cathedral made headlines in June. It was found by a canoeist several days later.

Mystery still surrounds the disappearance. The abductors abused Dan, colouring his tongue and eyes red among other damage.

Now Dan is receiving TLC at Queenswood where a carpenter tends to his 'wounds'. Ironically Dan had been due for brush and polish in time for the festival.

Inspirational

Herefordshire Council expects him back by the river at the end of the month.

Dan belonged to Elgar's friend Dr George Robertson Sinclair, organist at Hereford Cathedral in the late 1800s. The two men regularly walked the river path with the dog.

When Dan jumped in the Wye Dr Sinclair challenged Elgar to set it to music.

Elgar did. Dan inspired one of the Enigma Variations and featured in The Dream of Gerontius among other famous compositions.

Dan is buried in a garden in Church Street.

In 1991 a stone was unveiled in his memory near the spot where he made such a splash.

Herefordshire Council commissioned the carving as a £1,000 heritage project just over a year ago.