Fence Avenue Site

Worthington Group PLC
15 May 2000


Worthington Group plc today announces that it has suffered a major fire at the
Fence Avenue site in Macclesfield, Cheshire, operated by Worthington
Manufacturing Limited, its lingerie component business.

The fire, which occurred on Saturday, 13 May, has caused damage to both plant
and machinery and buildings and will disrupt production, but there was no injury
caused to any employees.  Management is currently working to transfer operations
to other sites in Macclesfield.

The Group has appropriate insurance cover in place.