RNS Number:3530L
Coats PLC
20 May 2003



Director's Shareholding: Notification of Interests of Directors

Coats plc (the "Company") announces that it was informed on 13 May 2003 that
there was a change to the interests of Martin Flower, Jonathan Lea and Bryan
Anderson in the ordinary shares of the Company, due to the exercise of, and
agreement to cancel, options held by them.

Mr Lea and Mr Anderson have each exercised 71,400 options that were granted to
them on 29 March 1999 at an exercise price of 42p per option.

Under the proposals made to option holders pursuant to the recommended cash
offer made by Strand Partners Limited on behalf of Avenue Acquisition plc for
all of the issued ordinary share capital in the Company, Mr Flower, Mr Lea and
Mr Anderson have each elected to accept a cash payment in consideration of the
cancellation on 12 May 2003 of the following options held by them, at a price
equal to the difference between 58.5p and the exercise price per option (less
any income tax and national insurance contributions):


Director               Options         Exercise Price (pence)  
                                                                                       
J.D. Lea               98,600          42.0                    
                       500,000         51.25                   
                                                                                       
B.G.F Anderson         98,600          42.0                    
                       500,000         51.25                   
                                                                                       
M.C. Flower            600,000         51.25                   
                       720,800         42.0                    


Mr Flower, Mr Lea and Mr Anderson have each elected to accept the cash offer
made by Avenue Acquisition plc in respect of their entire holdings of ordinary
shares in the Company:
                                          

Director               Ordinary shares held  
                                                                                 
M.C. Flower            84,502                
J.D. Lea               23,079                
B.G.F. Anderson        9,000                




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