Product Launch

Hornby PLC
17 August 2001


                                  Hornby PLC                                  
                                                                              
                         HORNBY LAUNCHES PAY-PER-USE                          
                               SCALEXTRIC SETS                                
                         IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MEGABOWL                         


Hornby  PLC, ('Hornby') the  models and collectables group has today announced
the launch of its  pay-per-use,  large,  multi-lane, Scalextric racing tracks.
In  partnership  with  Megabowl,  the ten-pin bowling leisure business, Hornby
will  provide  the  Scalextric racing tracks in Megabowl bowling centres.  The
tracks  will  be  targeted  at the public to play with on a pay-per-use basis.
The first Scalextric racing track will be launched in the Croydon Megabowl. 

The  six-lane circuits will offer players an opportunity to race against their
friends  for  £2.00  for  10  minutes.  They  will be fully manned by a Hornby
operative who will instruct and supervise the racing.  

Frank Martin, Chief Executive of Hornby said,

'  The  Scalextric  brand  is  very  strong  and  has bags of potential.  This
initiative  will capitalise on the strength of the brand and boost the profile
of  the  Scalextric  products.   The  Megabowl initiative is very exciting for
Hornby.  It  will  bring the excitement and adrenaline that players experience
with their friends when racing, but on a much larger scale.  It will appeal to
all ages  from 8-80.   We are confident that players will get hooked when they
play with the large  scale  set.  This should lead to an increase in sales, as
players buy their own Scalextric set to play with at home.   

'  I  am  delighted  that  we have agreed this partnership with Megabowl.  The
profile of customers  that  Megabowl attracts is exactly the right market that
we are targeting to boost sales of Scalextric products.

'  If  the  pilot  scheme  in  Croydon  goes  well,  we intend to roll-out the
pay-per-use Scalextric racing  circuits  in many more of Megabowl's 57 ten pin
bowling centres.   We are confident that by bringing Scalextric right into the
heart of our target marketplace, this will improve sales dramatically.'

Peter Boddy, Managing Director of Megabowl commented, 

'  The  Scalextric  Super  Circuits  are  just  another  great reason to visit
Megabowl.   This  partnership  with Hornby fits perfectly with our profile and
strategy  to  provide  a  complete  leisure  experience.   Megabowl are always
looking  for  fresh,  new  and  innovative ideas, I am sure it will be a great
success and prove to be extremely popular.'
 


Date: 17th August 2001
For further information contact:

Hornby PLC                                       City Profile Group 
Frank Martin, Chief Executive                    Simon Courtenay
Ben Collins, Scalextric Brand Manager            Ed Senior
01843-233500                                     020-7726-8588
Web: www.hornby.com or www.scalextric.com        e-mail: [e-mail]

Megabowl Limited
Peter Boddy, Managing Director
01509-410770