These financial statements, which are unaudited, comply with relevant accounting standards and should be read in conjunction with the Directors' Report & Accounts for the 12 months ended 31 August 1997. The accounting policies have been applied on a basis consistent with those applied in 1997, which are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United Kingdom (UK GAAP).

The periods ended 28 February 1998 and 28 February 1997 are regarded as distinct financial periods for accounting purposes with the exception of taxation where these periods are allocated an appropriate proportion of the expected total annual charge. The figures for the 12 months ended 31 August 1997 are an abridged version of the group's published financial statements which have been reported on by the group's auditors and filed with the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was unqualified and did not contain a statement under S237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.

These interim statements were approved by the board on 30 April 1998.