Holding in Company

Ascot PLC
11 January 2001


                      Ascot Plc ('Ascot')
                               
Ascot Plc has today been advised that CGNU plc and its
subsidiaries hold a notifiable interest in 3,850,950 ordinary
shares in the Company representing 5.06% of Ascot's issued
ordinary share capital.

The shares are held as follows:

BNY Norwich Union Nominees Limited         803,354
Chase GA Group Nominees Limited          2,201,596
Chase GA Pension Nominees Limited          181,000
CUIM Nominee Limited                       665,000