EAST Lancashire's wealthiest slipped down the rankings in the Sunday Times Rich List 2008.

Dropping 11 places from last year at number 44, was Rossendale-born John Whittaker who has an estimated fortune of £1.5billion.

Now living on the Isle of Man, Mr Whittaker owns development firm Peel Holdings.

The Walker family dropped six places to 101 with a fortune of £750million.

Still overseeing Blackburn Rovers via the Walker Trust, the family has amassed its cash through steel, property and a stake in budget airline Flybe.

Former executive chairman of Capita, Rod Aldridge, also the founder of the Aldridge Foundation and the backer of the controversial Darwen Academy, came in at number 698.