AGM 2007 Trading Statement

In the period since the issue of our Preliminary Results for 2006/07, business performance has continued to strengthen. Sales for the first quarter of the new financial year (in constant currency terms and adjusting for business disposals) are 7% up on the prior year. The improvement is due in the main to the continued strong growth in our European operations resulting from the operational initiatives put into place over the last two years. Profit performance in the first quarter reflects the sales gain with operating profits 25% up on prior year.

For further information:

Calvin O'Connor	Chief Executive	Tel: 0161 301 7430
Brian Tenner	Finance Director	Tel: 0161 301 7430
Chris Hardie	Arden Partners	Tel: 0207 398 1639