A FORMER church organist is suing a vicar over the disappearance of her life savings.

Disabled Constance Madden, 90, has issued a High Court writ to recover £80,000 which she claims went missing after the Reverend William Harris, vicar of West Grinstead parish, helped her fill in a tax form.

The writ has been filed for the return of the cash, which was allegedly transferred to Rev Harris's bank account in Henfield.

The pair are thought to have met in the early Eighties when Miss Madden was an organist at St Mary Magdalen Church in Coldean and Mr Harris was a team vicar at Moulsecoomb.

Rev Harris, 53, was ordained in 1975 and became parish curate for Langney, near Eastbourne.

But in 1979 he was removed after claims about his private life, which he denied the claims.

AChurch source said: "There were allegations made about how he was having affairs with women in the church. It was all very personal and tawdry but he had to go.

"But there has been no trouble since then and this has come as a bit of a shock for everyone."

After his dismissal, Rev Harris went on to become team vicar for Moulsecoomb during 1980-85 before becoming rector of West Grinstead in 1985.

Miss Madden of Upper Abbey Road, Kemp Town, Brighton, was left crippled for life after a 20ft flint wall collapsed on top of her and friend Gertrude Atthill.

Her friend was killed and Miss Madden spent months in hospital recovering before being awarded £13,500 damages in the High Court.

Miss Madden refused to discuss the writ yesterday.

AChurch of England spokesman said Rev Harris's position would not be affected by the writ, but added: "We will be looking at the outcome with interest and then reviewing our position."

Rev Harris, who is recovering from a major operation to his stomach and lives at the parish rectory in Steyning Road, refused to comment.

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