SAR - Coats PLC

Guinness Peat Group PLC
26 February 2002


LETTER TO: COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OFFICE

In accordance with the Rules Governing Substantial Acquisition of Shares, the 
following is the text of a Disclosure sent today to the Company Secretary of 
Coats plc.


'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 on 22 February 2002 it agreed to acquire 60,092,868 
Coats Ordinary 20p shares ('Shares') following which the Group's interest in the 
Shares of Coats now amount to 150,474,232 representing 21.33% 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.'



Please note that the purchase was effected from a single shareholder and was the 
only such acquisition within a period of 7 days.


LETTER FROM: GUINNESS PEAT GROUP PLC



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