THE Duke of Westminster, who owns large chunks of the Trough of Bowland, in Lancashire, has been knocked from his position as Britain's wealthiest man by the new owner of Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich.

The Sunday Times Rich List puts the Duke's fortune at £5,000million and Mr Abramovich's at £7,500million.

The Walker family's static personal wealth resulted in them falling 20 places in the annual report, published yesterday. The family, much of whose wealth was built up by the late Rovers benefactor Jack through his Walkersteel business, is54th in the top 1,000 with £650million.

Rossendale-based John Whittaker, who owns the Peel Holding development group which owns the Trafford Centre, Liverpool Airport and is building a £30million leisure complex in Blackburn, fell 12 places to 59th, even though his wealth rose £57million to £640million.

There was better news for former Rovers player Dave Whelan, of the JJB Sports empire. TheWhelan's family stake in JJB rose to £250million -- giving him a total personal wealth of £290million, up from £194million last year, putting him 155th.

But the biggest East Lancashire winner is Chorley-based property tycoon Trevor Hemmings. His wealth has risen by £220million, giving him £700million.

Time Group computer founder Tahir Mohsan falls from 484 to 568 after his fortunes remained at £70million. Mr Mohsan, 32, started the Simonstone-based firm with brother Tariq Mohammed in the bedroom of his Blackburn house 15 years ago.

In a separate list of biggest charitable donors, John Lancaster, founder of Clitheroe-based Ultraframe, is placed ninth. With a personal wealth of £97million, he is 415th on the overall list of fortune, but donated £7.5million to charity.