RNS Number:9179M
Soldier Limited
30 June 2003





Not for release, publication or distribution in, into or from the United States,
Canada, Australia or Japan

                              Increased Cash Offer

                                       by

                             KPMG Corporate Finance

                                  on behalf of

                          Soldier Limited ("Soldier")

                                      for

                            Hamleys plc ("Hamleys")



Further to its Increased Cash Offer announced on 27 June 2003, the board of
Soldier announces that by 3.00 p.m. on that date, valid acceptances had been
received in respect of 112,350 Hamleys Shares representing approximately 0.5% of
Hamleys issued share capital. This total includes valid acceptances received
from an Independent Director in respect of, 40,500 Hamleys Shares, representing
approximately 0.2 per cent. of the entire existing issued ordinary share
capital.

Prior to the Offer Period, Soldier held no Hamleys Shares and Hamleys Management
held an interest in 36,585 Hamleys Shares, representing approximately 0.2 per
cent of Hamleys' entire existing issued share capital.

As described in the Offer Document, Soldier has received irrevocable
undertakings to accept (or to take steps within the undertaker's power to cause
acceptance of) the Increased Offer from each of the Independent Directors in
respect of their entire beneficial holdings of Hamleys Shares comprising, in
aggregate, a further 62,250 Hamleys Shares, representing approximately 0.3 per
cent. of the entire existing issued ordinary share capital of Hamleys
(acceptances in respect of 40,500 of which have been received, as described
above). In addition, by virtue of the Hamleys Management Share Exchange
Agreement (amended by a supplemental agreement dated 27 June 2003), Soldier has
conditionally contracted to acquire, in aggregate, the 36,585 Hamleys Shares
held by Hamleys Management, together with a further 439,741 Hamleys Shares upon
exercise of certain options held under the Hamleys plc Unapproved Executive
Share Option Scheme.

Accordingly, Soldier has received acceptances of, or undertakings to accept (or
to take steps within the undertaker's power to cause acceptance of) the
Increased Offer in respect of, or has conditionally contracted to acquire, in
aggregate, 170,685 Hamleys Shares currently in issue, representing approximately
0.7 per cent. of Hamleys' entire existing issued ordinary share capital. In
addition, Soldier has conditionally contracted to acquire 439,741 Hamleys Shares
upon exercise of certain options under the Hamleys plc Unapproved Executive
Share Option Scheme.

The board of Soldier has noted the announcement on 27 June 2003 by ING
Investment Banking on behalf of Children's Stores Holdings Limited regarding its
proposed offer for Hamleys and is considering its position. A further
announcement will be made shortly. Until such time shareholders are urged to
take no action.

Words and expressions defined in the Offer Document dated 19 June 2003 shall
apply for the purposes of this announcement.


Enquiries:

Gavin Anderson & Company                                      Tel: 020 7554 1400
Neil Bennett
Halldor Larusson


Soldier                                                       Tel: 020 7479 7313
John Watkinson

KPMG Corporate Finance                                        Tel: 020 7311 1000
David McCorquodale
Michael McDonagh



This announcement does not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase or
subscribe for any securities.

KPMG Corporate Finance, a division of KPMG LLP which is authorised in the United
Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority for investment business activities,
is acting exclusively for Soldier as financial adviser in relation to the Offer
and is not acting for any other person in relation to such Offer.  KPMG
Corporate Finance will not be responsible to anyone other than Soldier for
providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in
relation to the contents of this announcement or any transaction or arrangement
referred to herein.


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