Anker acquisition update

Torex Retail PLC
17 August 2005

Torex Retail Plc
17 August 2005

                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN OR INTO THE
                   UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN

                                TOREX RETAIL PLC
  ___________________________________________________________________________

                        RECOMMENDED OFFER FOR ANKER PLC

                                  Offer Update

The Board of Torex Retail Plc ('Torex Retail') announced on 15 August 2005 that
the offer (the 'Offer') made by USB Investment Bank on behalf of Torex Retail
for Anker Plc ('Anker') had become unconditional as to acceptances.

Torex Retail is awaiting confirmation from the Office of Fair Trading ('OFT')
that it does not propose to refer the proposed acquisition of Anker, or any part
of it, to the Competition Commission.  The Torex Retail Board is confident that
the Acquisition will not be referred and expects a decision from the OFT shortly
('OFT Decision').

It is therefore expected that admission of 55,297,740 New Torex Retail Shares to
trading on AiM (for which application has been made) will become effective on
the business day following the OFT Decision.

Torex Retail will make a further announcement in due course.

Terms defined in the offer document dated 22 July 2005 (the 'Offer Document')
shall, unless the context requires otherwise, have the same meanings in this
announcement.

Enquiries
Torex Retail Plc                                       Telephone: [phone]
Richard Thompson / Nigel Horn

UBS Investment Bank                                    Telephone: [phone]
Ben Robertson / Jackie Lee


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