The Company was notified today that on 27 October 2004 Mr V F Timis, the Executive Chairman of the Company, had purchased 150,000 ordinary 5p shares of the Company (“Ordinary Shares”) at a price of 320p per Ordinary Share.

As a result of this purchase, Mr V F Timis has a beneficial interest in 8,930,887 Ordinary Shares representing 7.69 per cent. of the Company's share capital.

For further information, please contact:

Regal Tel: 020 7408 9500
Chris Phillips, Company Secretary

Buchanan Communications Tel: 020 7466 5000
Bobby Morse