Peter O'Neill questioned, in private, whether the patriotic piece of music composed by Sir Edward Elgar had inappropriate connotations.

He suggested that perhaps Rod Stewart's 1975 hit Sailing could replace it.

But at a meeting on Thursday councillors unanimously agreed to include it at the event in November.

'Nationally recognised'

Mr O'Neill, representing Bushbury South and Low Hill in Wolverhampton, has since apologised for causing offence.

"It is my own personal view that that one song Sailing reflects the era of the Falklands' conflict and some people might identify with that," Mr O' Neill told BBC WM on Thursday.

"But I didn't mean to be offensive to anybody and if the Festival of Remembrance working party wish Land of Hope and Glory to be played this year, that's what will happen."

But following the meeting of the Festival of Remembrance working party Councillor Roger Lawrence, leader of Wolverhampton City Council, said: "I am pleased that any concerns over Land of Hope and Glory have been resolved...

"The working party was always free to choose the songs to feature in the festival as it saw fit, regardless of the opinions of individuals.

"The city council is delighted to support and promote this important event, and is one of the few authorities in the region that still does."

The piece of music is also known as Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 and is sung with much gusto at every Last Night of the Proms.