JIM Ratcliffe, the UK’s richest man who started life Failsworth, has been knighted in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

The 65-year-old founder of chemical giant Ineos, believed to be worth £21.05bn, has been recognised alongside three other Oldham who people have received MBEs.

They include Mick Nield, aged 51, who has led Oldham Mountain Rescue Team for 25 years, taking over as chairman 12 months ago.

“I have been humbled by the honour,” he said from his Mossley home. “But it’s really a team effort. Our rescue team is one big family — and I’m really proud of that.

“I had to read the letter from the Cabinet Office about the honour twice before it sunk in,” he revealed. “But I’ll always be Mick of Mountain rescue — never Mick MBE.”

Mr Nield has spent the 10 years with Bob, the search dog he trained from a puppy and although Bob is due to retire, Mick is already working with a new search dog, Dave.

Meanwhile Rehana Mohammed has received MBE for services to the Education of Marginalised Women in Rochdale and Oldham.

Ms Mohammed, is the learning manager at the Workers’ Educational Association.

And Fakrul Alam Choudhury, a director of Progress Education Ltd in Ashton Road, has received his MBe of services to the community in Oldham.