AN ambitious £250,00 appeal has been launched to restore the unique Harris Organ at St Mary's Church in Calne to its former glory.

The organ was given as a gift to the parish church by the Harris family in 1908 and was affectionately known as the sausage organ because of the family's butchery connections.

But it has now fallen into a bad state of repair, not having been worked on since the sixties. A complete overhaul, costing £250,000, is now on the cards. There are three phases to the work, which is being carried out by Malmesbury organ builder Sebastian Meakin, and it is hoped it will be completed in time to celebrate the instrument's centenary in 2008.

Campaigners hope the majority of the money will be secured through trust funds that specialise in historic and important organs and those that specialise in national heritage.

" I think it's going to be tough but I'm confident we'll raise this money," said Rev Bob Kenway. "We'd like local people to get behind us as well and there will be some fundraising events in Calne."

Mr Meakin the organ builder said: "The organ has been plugging along for quite a long time now and it's only due to the skill of our organist that that he has kept it going and kept music coming out of it. It had reached a stage where something really had to be done about it. You could run your hand up any one of the key boards and find half a dozen notes missing."

Preliminary work on the restoration was carried out last year as a matter of urgency and to prevent further damage. It included re-roofing the underground chamber in the churchyard, which houses the organ blower.

Phase one proper will see the overhauling of the Great and Swell soundboards. Their pneumatic actions and that of the pedal organ will be restored to reliable playing order. The Great and Swell divisions are the core of the instrument.

The second phase will concentrate on the drawstops of the instrument. The Swell pipework, the choir organ and remaining parts of the pedal organ will be cleaned.

The final phase will see a complete overhaul of the console mechanisms, the winding mechanism and the solo organ. Finally the organ will be re-gilded by a local craftsman.

When Henry Harris donated the organ he also gave £1,000 to pay for its upkeep and it was reported in the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette that he had 'provided an instrument which will continue to be a source of pride and glory to the town for generations'.

It was built by master organ builder Peter Conacher of Huddersfield and the organ case was designed by CR Ashbee, a leading figure in the arts and crafts movement at the time.

Mr Meakin said there were not many organs of such impressive size and workmanship in the South West as the one at St Mary's. "There are plenty or organs by that maker but you won't find anything else of this size in this part of the country. It's pretty rare."

The appeal's patrons are internationally acclaimed composer Sir John Tavener, the Lord Bishop of Salisbury David Stancliffe and Calne Mayor Elizabeth Hitchens.

To find out more about the appeal contact communications director Tom Welch on (01249) 812848.