Special Dividend

British Portfolio Trust PLC
21 January 2003

BRITISH PORTFOLIO TRUST plc

SPECIAL DIVIDEND

The Directors have approved the payment of a special dividend relating to the
reconstruction of Jos Holdings plc of 0.28p per ordinary share for the period
from 1st November 2002 to 17th January 2003. The dividend will be payable on
11th February 2003 to shareholders on the register at 31st January 2003, and
will be combined with the Second Interim Dividend, previously announced as
payable on 11th February 2003, of 1.9p per ordinary share for the period ended
31st October 2002.





Enquiries:

Peter Ingram

Company Secretary

020 7475 6410


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