Interim Results - 6 Months to 31 December 1999

Sirdar PLC
22 March 2000


                                  SIRDAR PLC
           INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 31st DECEMBER 1999
                                       
                             CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

The results

Operating profit before central group costs for the half year to 31st December
1999 was £3,393,000, a 4% reduction on the comparative figure of £3,545,000.
After allowing for central group costs, interest payable and the profit on
sale of property in 1998, the profit before taxation was £3,137,000 compared
with £3,478,000 last year, a decrease of 10%.

Two factors affected the results for the first time this period.  The
actuarial valuation carried out at 1st July 1999 resulted in an increase in
pension costs of £115,000 in the period and the requirement for the hotel to
be depreciated for the first time added £83,000 to the depreciation charge for
the period.  Without these two items operating profit before central group
costs would have shown an increase over last year.

As a result of good cash management, cash flow in the period has again been
positive and this has resulted in a reduction in borrowings from £4.5 million
at 1st July 1999 to just under
£3 million at 31st December 1999.

Earnings per share increased by 4% to 4.60p as a result of the lower number of
shares in issue following the share buyback programme. Adjusted earnings per
share increased by 12%, also to 4.60p.  In view of the increase in earnings
the board has declared an interim dividend of 1.90p per share which represents
a 3% increase on last year.  This dividend is payable on
8th May 2000 to those shareholders on the register of members at the close of
business on
7th April 2000.

Floor coverings

Despite the weakness in the economy and the strength of sterling, sales at
Burmatex have increased by 3%.  Sales of fibre bonded carpet were particularly
good in the first quarter and carpet tile demand has remained strong due to
the continuing information technology boom.  However, pressure on margins and
an extra £48,000 in pension costs have left the operating profit for the six
months slightly ahead of last year at £2,572,000.

Hand knitting and machine yarns

This division has continued to make progress on the back of the turnaround
achieved last year.  Operating profit has increased by 33% to £561,000 despite
extra pension costs of £55,000.  These results have been achieved on sales
some 10% lower than last time.  This reduction is due to a slow down in hand
knitting sales during the very mild Autumn and the continued phasing out of
low margin machine yarns.

Curtains and accessories

This market has again been extremely difficult with low demand in the high
street and continued pressure on margins.  Turnover has reduced by 30% and
combined with increased stock write downs this has resulted in a loss of
£419,000 compared to a loss of £164,000 last time.  The recent trends have
continued into the second half of the year and there is no sign of an upturn
in the foreseeable future.  Accordingly, the board are undertaking a strategic
review to determine the future of this division.

Hotel

The hotel has traded strongly throughout most of the period although business
tailed off towards the Millennium weekend and into the New Year.  Previous
trends continued with occupancy showing a modest decline but room rates
achieving a slight increase.  Combined with a higher level of function
business this has resulted in a 4% increase in turnover.  Operating profit has
recorded a decline of 7% due to the extra depreciation charge.  Without this
additional charge operating profit would have increased by 5%.

The future

Manufacturing in the UK remains difficult particularly given the current
strength of sterling.  We continue to address these difficulties and take the
necessary action.  The emphasis on floor coverings will continue and we are
actively seeking acquisitions in this area.  The yarns division will continue
its focus on higher margin product and intends to further this strategy
through acquisitions as opportunities arise.  The hotel continues to provide a
good return and continues to generate cash.

The major concern facing the group remains the viability of the curtains and
accessories division.  With trading at its current depressed level the board
sees little prospect of this division, in its current form, generating a level
of return which would be acceptable to the group.  Consequently, various
options regarding the future of this division are being considered as part of
the current strategic review.



GERRY LUMB
Chairman                                       22nd March 2000


ENQUIRIES:     Mr F G Lumb                  Mr K F Henry
               Chairman                     Finance Director/Co. Secretary
               Sirdar PLC                   Sirdar PLC
Telephone:     [phone]                 01924 371501

                                  SIRDAR PLC
                                INTERIM RESULTS



                                6 months   6 months     Year
                                   ended      ended    ended
                           31st December 31st December 30th June
                                    1999       1998     1999
                                    £000       £000     £000
Turnover
Floor coverings                   10,872     10,546   20,455
Hand knitting and machine yarns    7,106      7,891   14,170
Curtains and accessories           3,901      5,612    9,589
Hotel                              2,327      2,233    4,465
                              ---------- ---------- ----------
                                  24,206     26,282   48,679
                                  ======     ======   ======
Operating profit/(loss) before
 central group costs
Floor coverings                    2,572      2,560    4,910
Hand knitting and machine yarns      561        422      622
Curtains and accessories           (419)      (164)    (906)
Hotel                                679        727    1,503
                              ---------- ---------- ----------
                                   3,393      3,545    6,129
Profit on sale of property             -        206      206
Central group costs                (148)      (175)    (280)
Interest payable                   (108)       (98)    (220)
                              ---------- ---------- ----------
Profit before taxation             3,137      3,478    5,835
Taxation                             940      1,040    1,602
                              ---------- ---------- ----------
Profit for the period              2,197      2,438    4,233
Dividends - preference                 -          5        6
          - ordinary                 906      1,014    2,730
                              ---------- ---------- ----------
Profit retained                    1,291      1,419    1,497
                                  ======     ======   ======
Earnings per share                  4.60p      4.44p    7.96p
Adjusted earnings per share         4.60p      4.10p    7.61p
Dividends per share                 1.90p      1.85p    5.65p
NOTES:

1.   The interim results are unaudited.

2.   The taxation charge is based on the profit before taxation at a
     corporation tax rate of 30%.

3.   The interim dividend of 1.90p per share is payable on 8th May 2000 to all
     ordinary shareholders on the register of members at the close of business
     on 7th April 2000.

4.   The profit on sale of property for the six months ended 31st December
     1998 and the year ended 30th June 1999 relates to the disposal of a
     warehouse by the hand knitting and machine yarns division.

5.   The calculation of earnings per share is based on earnings of £2,197,000
     (1998: £2,438,000) less preference dividends and on 47,775,385 (1998:
     54,793,739) ordinary shares being the weighted average number in issue
     during the period.

6.   The calculation of adjusted earnings per share for the 6 months ended
     31st December 1998 and the year ended 30th June 1999 is based on the
     results excluding the profit on sale of property.

7.   Following the implementation of Financial Reporting Standard 15,
     depreciation is now charged on the Hotel property at rates varying
     between 1% and 4%.  Previously, these assets were not depreciated.

8.   A copy of the announcement will be sent to shareholders and further
     copies will be available from the Company Secretary at the registered
     office at Flanshaw Lane, Alverthorpe, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 9ND.