Wt India Earn Regulatory News (EPI)

28 Jun 2005 10:46

Epic Group PLC28 June 2005 Not for release, publication or distribution in whole or in part, in or into the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan or any other jurisdiction if to doso would constitute a violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction. Epic Group plc ("Epic" or the "Company") Discussions relating to a potential offer The Board of Epic has noted the recent press speculation in relation to theCompany and confirms that the Company is in preliminary discussions with a third party, which may or may not result in an offer being made for all of theCompany's issued shares. Epic shareholders should be aware that there can be noguarantee of such an offer being forthcoming. In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the"City Code"), Epic confirms that, as at close of business on 27 June 2005, ithad in issue 23,743,103 ordinary shares of 1 pence each ("Ordinary Shares"). The International Securities Identification Number for the Ordinary Shares isGB0003110581. A further announcement will be made as appropriate. Contact: Epic Group plc Tel: 01273 728686John Gordon (Chairman)Stephen Oliver (Chief Financial Officer) Altium Capital Limited Tel: 020 7484 4040Garry LevinTim Richardson Dealing disclosure requirements: Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code, any person who, alone or acting together with any other person(s) pursuant to an agreement or understanding (whether formal or informal) to acquire or control relevant securities of Epic, owns or controls, or becomes the owner or controller,directly or indirectly, of one per cent. or more of any class of securities of Epic is required to disclose, by not later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction, dealings insuch securities of that company (or in any option in respect of, or derivativereferenced to, any such securities) during the period to the date on which theoffer becomes or is declared unconditional as to acceptances or lapses or is otherwise withdrawn. Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the City Code, all dealings in relevant securities of Epic by Epic, or by any of its respective'associates' (within the meaning of the City Code) must also be disclosed. If you are in any doubt as to the application of Rule 8 to you, please contactan independent financial adviser authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, consult the website of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers(the "Panel") at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk or contact the Panel on telephone number +44 20 7638 0129; fax +44 20 7236 7013. The directors of Epic (the "Directors") accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Directors, who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that this is the case, such information is in accordance with the facts and does not omitanything likely to affect the import of such information. This announcement does not constitute an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for anysecurities. Altium Capital Limited ("Altium"), which is authorised and regulated in theUnited Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for Epic and for no one else in connection with the proposed offer and is notadvising any other person or treating any other person as its client inrelation thereto and will not be responsible to anyone other than Epic forproviding the protections afforded to clients of Altium, or for giving adviceto any other person in relation to the proposed offer, the contents of thisannouncement or any other matter referred to herein. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange