North East brands are among richest in UK

THE Barbour family and Dame Irene Hays are among the richest people in the North East - and the UK - according to this year's Sunday Times Rich List.

- SAM VOLPE Reporter

The North East rich list is topped by Teesside businessmen Alastair and Michael Powell, who have an estimated wealth of £701m. That's derived from their firm the Cleveland Cable Company.

Second on the list is the Hays family, with the wealth of Dame Irene and the rest of the famed Sunderland travel agency family estimated at £591m. Able UK's Peter Stephenson and family ranks joint second in the region, also with an estimated wealth of £591m.

Dame Margaret and Helen Barbour are then fourth - with £580m.

This year has seen an increase in their wealth - associated with the South Shields-based Barbour fashion brand - by almost £50m, though they have also donated more than £29m to good causes through their foundation.