WITH a fortune estimated at £320m, department store magnate Mark Fenwick and his family topped the North-East rich list last night.

Mr Fenwick, chairman of the firm founded in Newcastle in 1882, claimed the regional top spot in the Sunday Times Rich List, just ahead of last year's incumbent, the Duke of Northumberland.

The 55-year-old and his family saw their ten stores in Fenwick Ltd make a profit of £34.8m on £383m sales during 2002-03.

A reported wealth of £320m - up on last year's £282m in the same definitive list - means the family is nationally ranked 133rd in this year's Rich List for Britain and Ireland.

The Duke of Northumberland, who lives at Alnwick Castle, comes 143rd, with his art collection helping him record the same wealth as last year - £300m.

Despite their vast fortunes, however, neither comes close to Roman Abramovich, the oil billionaire who owns Chelsea Football Club.

The secretive Russian is ranked number one, with a fortune of £7.5bn, ahead of the Duke of Westminster, said to be worth £5bn.

In the regional list, supermarket supremo Sir Ken Morrison and family are reported to be worth £1.25bn.

Sir Ken, 72, who lives in Swaledale, has seen his empire go from strength to strength lately, most recently acquiring rival Safeway after a lengthy battle.

The family is narrowly behind Eddie and Malcolm Healey - worth £1.35bn - who made their name in the kitchen business and live near York.

Internet entrepreneur Peter Wilkinson, of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, has a personal wealth of £280m.

The riches of rock star Sting, from Wallsend, North Tyneside, are valued at £175m, while fitness tycoon Duncan Bannatyne (£115m) and Sir Peter Vardy (£112m), of car firm Reg Vardy, get a mention.

Steve Gibson, chairman of Carling Cup winners Middlesbrough Football Club, is worth £85m.