The Company was notified on 2 October 2003 that Mr V F Timis, the Executive Chairman of the Company, had purchased 50,000 Ordinary Shares of the Company ("Ordinary Shares") on 2 October 2003, at 83p per share each representing a holding of 0.09 per cent. of the issued share capital.

As a result of this purchase, Mr V F Timis has a beneficial interest in 7,930,887 Ordinary Shares representing 13.75 per cent. of the Company's share capital.