SAR - Coats PLC

Guinness Peat Group PLC
8 August 2002


Disclosure of Interest in Shares Pursuant to Rule 3 of 
The Rules Governing Substantial Acquisition of Shares

Guinness Peat Group plc and its subsidiary companies ('the Group') hereby notify 
Coats plc ('Coats') that following six purchases, one being of 500,000 Ordinary 
20p shares ('Shares') on-market on 18 July 2002, one being of 2,050,000 Ordinary 
20p shares ('Shares') on-market on 19 July 2002, one being of 250,000 Ordinary 
20p shares ('Shares') on-market on 23 July 2002, two being of 500,000 and 
750,000 respectively of Ordinary 20p shares ('Shares') on-market on 24 July 2002 
and one being of 10,000,000 Ordinary 20p shares ('Shares') on-market on 
7 August 2002, the Group's interest in the Shares of Coats now amounts to 
179,082,728 representing 25.3% of the issued share capital.

No member of the Group is party to any agreement or arrangement relating to the 
exercise of any rights conferred by holding the Shares subject to this 
notification.'


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