Dividend Declaration

ABERFORTH SMALLER COMPANIES TRUST PLC

First Interim Dividend

The Board of Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc announces that it is declaring a
first interim dividend of 6.0p per ordinary share in respect of the year ending 31
December 2010, payable on 1 April 2010 to shareholders on the register at the close
of business on 12 March 2010. The ex-dividend date is 10 March 2010. The Company
operates a Dividend Reinvestment Plan and the final date for elections for the
reinvestment of this dividend is 11 March 2010.

The Board believes that it is in shareholders' interests to accelerate the timing
of this year's first interim dividend and therefore this dividend is intended to
replace the first interim dividend that would normally be paid in August 2010. It
is anticipated that future dividend payments will be paid in line with the normal
dividend schedule.


4 March 2010


Contact for enquiries:-
David Holland
Aberforth Partners LLP,
Secretaries  (Tel: [phone])

ANNOUNCEMENT ENDS