Despite falling from last year's top spot, Rausing earned more than 820,000 a day in 2003, taking his fortune to 6.6bn, and putting him at number two in the top 300 listing.

Tetra Pak heiress Kirtsen Rausing, niece to Hans Rausing, was ranked 11th, down from seventh last year, and listed as Britains second-richest woman.

Media baron Viscount Rothermere, who inherited the Daily Mail and General Trust in 1998 finished 38th, with a fortune of 793m.

Packaging boss Michael Cornish ranked 41st, making him one of the highest climbers, jumping from 192. Cornish sold the Linpac business last year to Montague Private Equity. His worth was valued at 750m

Press baron Richard Desmond owner of Express Newspapers came in at 75 up from 81 in 2003, with a fortune of 495m, while fellow press baron Richard Sullivan moved up one place to 85 with 430m in the bank.

Lads' magazine publisher Felix Dennis fell one place to 93 with a value of 405m, whilst the Blackwell family of Blackwell Publishing fell from 93 to 102 with 396m in change.

Brian Thomson of DC Thomson was down to 142 from 115 last year, with a value of 290m, whilst the Johnston family of fellow Scottish publisher Johnston Press dropped two places to 144 with a wealth estimated at 286m.

Haymarkets owner Michael Heseltine took a slight tumble from 137 to 170, with his publishing wealth valued at 240m.

The Smurfit family value has been pushed up to 239m, following the sale of Jefferson Smurfit in 2002. This didnt stop them taking a fall from 136 to 174 in the 2004 rankings.

Scientific publisher Dr Philip Brown and wife Patricia sold PJB Publishing to Informa for 150m, taking their value to 188m, but still down from 187 to 220 in the chart.

Lord Black of Crossharbour also slid down the ladder to 235 from 211 with a fortune of 175m.
The Graham family, owners of the newspaper publishing group Claverley, propped up the table at 292, down 10 places but with a value of 132m.

by Andy Scott