RNS Number:7097M
Hartstone Group PLC
24 June 2003


PRESS RELEASE
                                 24 June 2003
                            (for immediate release)

                     THE HARTSTONE GROUP PLC ("Hartstone")

                              Preference Dividend

The Hartstone Group PLC today announced that, due to a further breach in the
Etienne Aigner interest cover banking covenant, the US banks have continued to
restrict payment of group interest to the UK parent company.  This means that we
will not be in a position to pay the preference dividend due on 2 July 2003.


PRESS ENQUIRIES

The Hartstone Group PLC                                             01494 787700
      Shaun Dowling, Chairman
      John De Morgan, Company Secretary


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