Rule 8 - [Darby Group plc]

    Date of Disclosure     15/4/03     

                    DISCLOSURE UNDER RULES 8.1(a), 8.1(b)(i) and 8.3 
                       OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS

Date of dealing     11/4/03

Dealing in          Darby Group plc

1)  Class of securities (eg ordinary shares)     Ordinary 5p Shares 

2)  Amount bought                Amount sold             Price per unit
    150,000                      -                       26.25p


3)  Resultant total of the same class owned or controlled 
    (and percentage of class)     366,500                 ( 1.32 %)


4) Party making disclosure     VFT LIMITED


5)  EITHER (a) Name of purchaser/vendor (Note 1)              VFT Limited
    OR     (b) if dealing for discretionary client(s), name of fund 
               management organisation


6)  Reason for disclosure (Note 2)                                     
    (a) associate of (i) offeror (Note 3)                       NO
                    (ii) offeree company                        NO

Specify which category or categories of associate (1-8 overleaf) 

If category (8), explain

     (b)  Rule 8.3 (ie disclosure because of ownership or control of 1% 
          or more of the class of relevant securities dealt in)         YES

Signed, for and on behalf of the party named in (4) above  N/A  

(Also print name of signatory)     B Lemer
Telephone and extension number     020 7739 6568


Note 1.  Specify owner, not nominee or vehicle company.  If relevant, also 
         identify controller of owner, eg where an owner normally acts on 
         instructions of a controller

Note 2.  Disclosure might be made for more than one reason; if so, state all 
         reasons.

Note 3.  Specify which offeror if there is more than one.

Note 4.  When an arrangement exists with any offeror, with the offeree company 
         or which an associate of any offeror or of the offeree company 
         in relation to relevant securities, details of such arrangement must 
         be disclosed, as required by Note 6 on Rule 8

Note 5.  It may be necessary, particularly when disclosing derivative 
         transactions, to append a sheet to this disclosure form so that
         relevant information can be given.

Note 6.  In the case of an average price bargain, each underlying trade 
         should be disclosed.

For full details of disclosure requirements, see Rule 8 of the Code.  If in 
doubt, contact the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, Monitoring Section,
Tel No: 020 7638 0129.