Director Shareholding

De La Rue PLC
04 July 2003


De La Rue plc - Directors' Interests


De La Rue plc (the 'Company') confirms that the 105,600 options granted to Ian
Much, Chief Executive, at an option price of 340.90p, under the Share Price
Improvement Plan (the 'Plan') lapsed today having reached the third anniversary
on 4 July 2003. The options lapsed because the Company's share price did not
meet the performance target under the Plan being a minimum trigger price of
392.22p.

In addition to a minimum trigger price, options may only be exercised if the
Company's percentage increase in share price has equalled or exceeded the
percentage increase in the FTSE 250 Index (excluding investment companies) over
the performance period under the Plan.


Enquiries:

Louise Fluker
Company Secretary
01256 605311


4 July 2003



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