FOUR eminent people from the Bolton area have joined Britain's elite in the latest edition of Who's Who.

Three Bolton men and one from Leigh have made their debuts in the book, which lists Britain's so-called important people and is published today at £135.

The book says that TV gardening expert Roy Lancaster was educated in Bolton. The 66-year-old, who now lives in Hampshire, attended Castle Hill Secondary School and is now recognised as one of Britain's most famous plantsmen.

John Pyle, a professor of atmospheric science at Cambridge University, lists his hobbies in the book as "hill walking, sport and Bolton Wanderers".

Prof Pyle is an expert on the ozone layer and teaches at St Catharine's College. He is involved in research to control the atmosphere and its evolution in the wake of fears about continuing pollution.

Prof Pyle, who is from Walkden, is married with three children and does his best to attend Wanderers matches when he has the time.

He started off his career at a college in Salford before attending Durham University where he studied physics. He then went to Oxford University to complete a doctorate.

The Archdeacon of Bolton, the Venerable Dr John Applegate, who lives in Bury, is also listed. Dr Applegate said: "It is the first I've heard of it, so it comes as a surprise."

Dr Applegate has been the Archdeacon since 2002 after being ordained as a deacon in 1984. He studied for a doctorate in Prophecy and the Bible at Trinity College in Bristol.

Completing the quartet is Leigh headteacher Sir John Jones, who made the news last year when he was knighted while headteacher of Maghull High School, Sefton. Sir John, who lives in Leigh, lists playing the guitar as one of his hobbies.

Sir John has an advisory role at Bolton's Withins High School. He is currently on secondment at other schools in the North-west.

The four local celebrities join actress Kate Winslet, ITN newsreader Katie Derham and marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe, who also make their debuts in Who's Who.