Unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 March 2009

RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS

The surplus, as measured under IAS 19, associated with the Group’s UK Retirement Benefit Obligations has reduced from £43.4m at 30 September 2008 to £29.3m at 31 March 2009. The reduction has been as a result of a 6% fall in asset values, reflecting global financial market conditions. This fall is substantially lower than the general fall in equity markets (the UK FTSE 100 index fell 20% in the same period) because of the scheme’s portfolio which is split between equities and a liability driven investment.

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