Supermarket tycoon Ken Morrison and his family are tipped to become worth a billion - according to a national rich list.

The 67-year-old chairman of the Bradford-based Morrison supermarket chain saw his family's fortune increase by £250 million to £900 million last year.

That leap has resulted in Mr Morrison being named as Britain's joint 20th richest man - and the second wealthiest in Yorkshire - in the report out tomorrow.

According to Ian Coxon, editor of the Rich List which is published in tomorrow's Sunday Times, Mr Morrison's family fortune increased by nearly £5 million a week last year.

Mr Coxon said: "He's my tip to become the first Yorkshire billionaire. After 42 years in the company, which he took over in 1957 from his father, there's still no sign of him applying for his bus pass."

Mr Morrison and his family rose two positions in the rich list - which places them alongside Formula One motor racing boss Bernie Ecclestone.

Queen Elizabeth II comes 87th in the list - with £250 million.

In Yorkshire the Morrisons are topped only by duty-free retailing tycoon Robert Miller, whose fortune stands at £975 million.

Other Bradfordians included in the rich list include Saltaire-based Pace Micro Technology chief David Hood whose personal wealth has nearly doubled from last year's £88 million to £150 million.

His former business partner Barry Rubery netted an increase of £10 million to £50 million.

Barry Burns, chairman of Spectrum Computers, and Ilkley man Noel Bailey, owner of electrical company NG Bailey, are thought to be worth £70 million.

Rhys Marks, head of family agricultural chemical firm AH Marks, is said to have a fortune of £40 million and Keighley businessmen Thomas and Gordon Black are worth £60 million.

A spokesman for Wm Morrison Supermarkets dec-lined to comment on the survey, adding Mr Morrison never discussed his personal assets publicly. The chain enjoyed record sales worth £2.5 billion last year.

Pre-tax profits were up by 15.5 per cent to £174.9 million.

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