RNS Number:1968U
AIM
13 January 2004

Further to the AIM notice dated 19 December 2003, the Exchange has today
extended the period for which the Settlement Offer relating to unsettled
transactions in Azure Holdings Plc ("Azure") will remain open for acceptance by
qualifying investors.



On 19 December the London Stock Exchange announced that it had directed market
makers and other member firms to make a Settlement Offer in lieu of delivery of
Azure shares or entitlements to participate in the Open Offer.



The Settlement Offer is currently scheduled to remain open for acceptance until
14 January 2004.  However, the unusual nature of this offer has led to some
delays in its communication to the qualifying investors and the Exchange is
concerned that some qualifying investors may have had insufficient time to
consider the Offer fully and communicate with their brokers.  The Exchange has
therefore decided to extend the period for acceptance of the Settlement Offer
until 21 January 2004.  This deadline is the final date for acceptance of the
Settlement Offer by investors and all member firms will accept their clients'
instructions concerning the Offer up to and including that date.



The terms of the Settlement Offer as described in Exchange Notice N30/03
(www.londonstockexchange.com/regulation/notices/latest.asp) remain unchanged.
Nevertheless, the Exchange would like to reiterate certain aspects of the terms
and conditions of the Offer as follows:



Acceptance of the Settlement Offer that has been made by the market makers, in
accordance with the Exchange's direction, fulfils the market makers' obligation
to deliver Azure shares and all connected entitlements.  The cash payment is in
lieu of delivery of the shares in question and constitutes full and complete
satisfaction of the transaction concerned.



However, acceptance of the Settlement Offer is without prejudice to any rights
that the qualifying investor may have under the Exchange's rules or otherwise.
This includes any rights that qualifying investors may or may not have in
relation to the non-delivery of the requisite shares during the period between
the Intended Settlement Date and acceptance of the Settlement Offer.



Naturally, qualifying investors are under no obligation to accept either cash
offer and may, in the alternative, take no action.



Qualifying investors who wish to accept the Settlement Offer are reminded to
contact the broker through which they effected their purchase of Azure shares as
soon as possible.



The market in Azure shares continues to be affected by severe settlement
difficulties and trading will remain suspended pending the conclusion of the
Settlement Offer and until an orderly market can be restored.



Enquiries:



Public enquiries:       020 7797 3523



Press enquiries:        020 7797 1222








                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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