Acquisition

RNS Number:4986U
Helphire Group PLC
22 January 2004



Date:           22 January 2004

Contacts:       Michael Symons/Mark Jackson
                Helphire Group plc                     01225 321 000

                Chris Steele                           07979 604 687
                Holborn                                020 7929 5599
                                             [e-mail]



                               Helphire Group plc

                            Acquisition of Business


Helphire Group plc ('Helphire') is pleased to announce that it has agreed to
offer an ongoing service to the customer referred business of Centrus Ltd ('
Centrus') and it's legal expense insurance product, 'Safeguard'.  Centrus is a
non-fault accident management company based in Manchester and is wholly owned by
Avis Europe plc ('Avis Europe').


Helphire has also agreed that Avis will become the principal supplier of hire
vehicles to Helphire where hire cases are not satisfied through Helphire's own
fleet.  This is a re-establishment of a similar relationship, which existed
until 1999 when Avis Europe acquired Centrus (formally '3 Arrows Ltd').
Helphire anticipates the volume of business is likely to be of the order of two
to three hundred cases per month.


Michael J Symons (Executive Chairman), commenting on the deal said, "We are
delighted to be recommencing a working relationship with Avis.  Centrus clients
can be assured that service levels will be maintained as a result of this
arrangement."


Michael J Symons
Executive Chairman


                                    - Ends -


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

ACQEAKFFADELEFE