Harrison Atop British Singles Chart

LONDON (AP) _ George Harrison's hit single ``My Sweet Lord'' has returned to the top of the British pop charts 31 years after its first release and nearly two months after the ex-Beatle's

Monday, January 21st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LONDON (AP) _ George Harrison's hit single ``My Sweet Lord'' has returned to the top of the British pop charts 31 years after its first release and nearly two months after the ex-Beatle's death.

The song, reissued after Harrison's Nov. 29 death from cancer at age 58, is raising funds for charities around the world.

Harrison's widow Olivia and son Dhani agreed to the re-release of the single by record company EMI after strong public demand, providing the cash went to a fund administered by the Material World Charitable Foundation, which Harrison established in 1973.

``We are very happy that the reissue of 'My Sweet Lord' continues to spread George Harrison's music and message around the world,'' EMI said Sunday.

``It's especially appropriate that the Material World Charitable Foundation, a charity that George set up some time ago, will benefit from the profits made from the success of the single, thus helping the needy all over the world.''

Harrison takes over the top spot from another recently-deceased artist, Aaliyah, whose ``More Than A Woman'' was number one last week.