Offer Document Posted

BIRKBY PLC
3 August 1999


          Not for release, publication or distribution in or into the
                   United States, Canada, Australia or Japan
                                       
                                       
                              Mentmore Abbey plc
                              ('Mentmore Abbey')
                                       
                                  merger with
                                       
                                  Birkby PLC
                                  ('Birkby')
                                       
                                       
                             Posting of Documents
                                       
Mentmore  Abbey has today posted its formal offer document to the shareholders
of  Birkby in connection with the proposed merger of the two companies,  which
was  announced on 27 July 1999.  The merger is being effected by  means  of  a
recommended  offer, made by Singer & Friedlander on behalf of  Mentmore  Abbey
for  the issued share capital of Birkby.  The first closing date of the  offer
is 24 August 1999.


Enquiries:

Singer & Friedlander Limited            Ian Dighe             0171 623 3000
                                        Greg Aldridge


Singer  & Friedlander Limited which is regulated by The Securities and Futures
Authority  Limited  in the conduct of its investment business  in  the  United
Kingdom,  is acting exclusively for Mentmore Abbey and is acting  for  no  one
else  in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other
than  Mentmore  Abbey for providing the protections afforded to  customers  of
Singer & Friedlander Limited or for providing advice in relation to the Offer.

The  Offer will not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into, or by use  of
the   mails  or  any  other  means  or  instrumentality  (including,   without
limitation,  facsimile  transmissions, telex or telephone)  of  interstate  or
foreign  commerce of, or any facilities of a national securities exchange  of,
the  US,  Canada, Australia or Japan and will not be capable of acceptance  by
any  such  use,  means, instrumentality or facilities or from within  the  US,
Canada, Australia or Japan.