DODS.L Regulatory News (DODS)

19 Aug 2005 07:00

Huveaux PLC18 August 2005 Not for release, publication or distribution in or into the United States,Australia, Canada, Japan or any other jurisdiction if to do so would constitutea violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction For immediate release 19 August 2005 Epic Group plc ("Epic") Offer update The board of Huveaux announces that by 3.00 p.m. (U.K. time) on 18 August 2005,the first closing date of the Offer, valid acceptances of the Offer had beenreceived in respect of a total of 18,866,747 Epic Shares, representingapproximately 78.17 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of Epic as at3.00 p.m. (U.K. time) on 18 August 2005. This total includes acceptances in respect of 12,399,243 Epic Shares,representing approximately 51.37 per cent. of the existing issued share capitalof Epic as at 3.00 p.m. (U.K. time) on 18 August 2005, pursuant to theirrevocable undertakings and the letter of intent to accept the Offer from theDirectors of Epic and certain other Epic Shareholders. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Offer, the Board of Huveauxannounces that all outstanding conditions of the Offer have either beensatisfied or waived save for the condition relating to the admission of up to32,563,191 New Huveaux Shares to AIM, a market operated by the London StockExchange, becoming effective ("Admission"). Accordingly, the Offer is declaredunconditional in all respects subject only to such Admission, which is expectedto become effective on 22 August 2005. The Offer will be open for acceptanceuntil further notice but the Mix and Match Facility is no longer available foracceptances. Huveaux intends to procure that Epic applies to the London Stock Exchange forthe trading of Epic Shares on AIM to be cancelled. It is anticipated that suchcancellation will take effect no earlier than 20 September 2005, being 20business days after the Offer is expected to be declared unconditional in allrespects. To the extent they have not already done so, Epic Shareholders who hold theirEpic Shares in certificated form and who wish to accept the Offer shouldcomplete, sign and return their Forms of Acceptance as soon as possible inaccordance with the instructions set out in the Offer Document and in the Formof Acceptance. Epic Shareholders who hold their Epic Shares in uncertificated form and who wishto accept the Offer should send to CRESTCo a TTE Instruction in relation to suchshares as soon as possible. The procedure for acceptance of the Offer is set outin paragraph 15 of Part II of the Offer Document. Save as disclosed in this announcement, neither Huveaux, nor any persons acting,or deemed to be acting, in concert with Huveaux held any Epic Shares (or rightsover Epic Shares) or has acquired or agreed to acquire any Epic Shares (orrights over Epic Shares) during the Offer Period. Words and expressions defined in the Offer Document dated 28 July 2005 shallhave the same meaning when used in this announcement. Copies of the documentsposted to Epic Shareholders on 28 July 2005 are available for inspection at theDocument Viewing Facility of the UK Listing Authority at The Financial ServicesAuthority, 25 The North Colonnade, London E14 5HS. Enquiries Huveaux 020 7245 0270 John van Kuffeler, Executive Chairman Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein (Financial advisor to Huveaux) 020 7623 8000Joe Thompson Finsbury (Public Relations advisor to Huveaux) 020 7251 3801James LevitonKatie LangDon Hunter Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, which is authorised and regulated by theFinancial Services Authority, is acting for Huveaux and for no-one else inconnection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other thanHuveaux for providing the protections afforded to customers of DresdnerKleinwort Wasserstein, or for providing advice in relation to the Offer or anymatters referred to herein. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange