LANDLORD Nicholas Hoogstraten, who owns a string of properties across Brighton and Hove, has been named one of the richest men in the country.

Hoogstraten's wealth is estimated at £200 million, an increase of £40 million on last year. He joins other Sussex names, including former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, Body Shop founder Anita Roddick, Matthew Harding's widow, Ruth, and businessman Hans Rausing in the Sunday Times 1998 Rich List. Mr Hoogstraten is building a £30 million mansion at Palehouse Common, near Uckfield, and the Sunday Times admitted it had "massively undervalued" his fortune in previous years. Anita Roddick was named the 14th richest woman in the country, with estimated assets of £80 million. But Mrs Roddick, 55, who lives at Houghton, near Arundel, saw profits at the Body Shop fall after poor Christmas trading. Ruth Harding, of Ditchling, is named 16th richest woman, with a £75 million fortune. Her husband, Matthew, a director of Chelsea Football Club, died in a helicopter crash in October 1996. Former Hove MP Sir Tim Sainsbury's family are named the richest in the country, with wealth of £3,300 million. Hans Rausing, 72, from Wadhurst, is the country's second richest man. His £2,800 million fortune was made in the packaging trade.

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