Preliminary Approach

W.H. Ireland Group PLC
05 October 2007


NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION
WHERE TO DO THE SAME WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH
JURISDICTION

5 October 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


WH Ireland Group plc ('WH Ireland' or the 'Company')

Preliminary Approach


The Board of WH Ireland notes the recent share price movement and confirms that
it has recently received a number of approaches regarding a potential offer for
the Company.  The Board is considering these matters, which are at a very early
stage.  There can be no guarantee of any offer being made for the Company.


A further announcement will be made in due course.


Pursuant to Rule 2.10 of the City Code, WH Ireland announces that it has
16,840,211 ordinary shares of 5p each in issue.


Enquiries:


WH Ireland Group plc                         0161 832 6644

Laurie Beevers, Chief Executive


N M Rothschild & Sons Limited                0161 827 3800

Greg Cant


Biddicks                                     0207 448 1000

Zoe Biddick

Sophie Lane


The Directors of WH Ireland accept responsibility for the information contained
in this announcement.  To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Directors,
who have taken all reasonable care to ensure such is the case, the information
contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit
anything likely to affect the importance of such information.

N M Rothschild & Sons Limited is acting for WH Ireland and no one else in
connection with this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other
than WH Ireland for providing the protections afforded to clients of N M
Rothschild & Sons Limited or for providing advice in relation to the contents of
this announcement.


Dealing Disclosure Requirements


Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the
'Code'), if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in
1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of WH Ireland, all ' dealings'
in any 'relevant securities' of that company (including by means of an option in
respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such 'relevant securities') must
be publicly disclosed by no later than 3:30pm (London time) on the London
business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement
will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared,
unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which
the 'offer period' otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant
to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an
'interest' in 'relevant securities' of WH Ireland, they will be deemed to be a
single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.


Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all 'dealings' in 'relevant
securities' of WH Ireland by WH Ireland, or by any of their respective
'associates', must be disclosed by no later than 12:00 noon (London time) on the
London business day following the date of the relevant transaction.


A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose 'relevant
securities' 'dealings' should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in
issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at
www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.


'Interests in securities' arise, in summary, when a person has long economic
exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of
securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by
virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by the virtue of any option
in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.


Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the
Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required
to disclose a 'dealing' under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel.




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