Exercise of options

James Halstead PLC
27 October 2004


James Halstead plc ('James Halstead' and the 'Company')

27 October 2004

Exercise of options and directors' dealings

James Halstead today announces that it has issued 175,820 10p ordinary shares in
the Company ('Ordinary Shares') in respect of share options of the James
Halstead Group Share Option Plan (1998).

The Company has been advised that Mr Geoffrey Halstead, Mr Mark Halstead and Mr
Gordon Oliver, directors of the Company, have exercised share options as
follows:

-   Mr Geoffrey Halstead has exercised share options for 20,000 Ordinary Shares
    at 203.66 pence per share; and

-   Mr Mark Halstead has exercised share options for 20,000 Ordinary Shares at
    203.66 pence per share; and

-   Mr Gordon Oliver has exercised share options for 20,000 Ordinary Shares at
    203.66 pence per share.

The Company has also been advised that Mr G Halstead, Mr M Halstead and Mr
Oliver have each sold 20,000 Ordinary Shares at 535 pence per share on 26
October 2004.

Following this notification, Mr G Halstead's, Mr M Halstead's and Mr Oliver's
respective holdings in the Company remain unchanged.

Enquiries:

James Halstead plc
Jack Whittaker
Tel: [phone]

Westhouse Securities LLP
David Simmons
Tel: [phone]




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange