Dividend information

The Board now believes that trading and cash flow performance has improved sufficiently to be able to resume dividend payments. Therefore, the Board has decided to resume dividend payments and for 2009 has declared an interim dividend (in lieu of a final dividend), of 0.8p per share (2008 nil). This will be paid on 31 March 2010 to shareholders on the register at 12 March 2010.

It is our intention broadly to maintain the ratio of final to interim dividends at 2:1 in the future and to establish a progressive dividend policy with a cover of at least 2x (before amortisation and non-recurring items) over the medium term.

Preference dividend payments are made on 1 March and 1 September each year.