Disposal

De La Rue PLC
19 October 2001



                                DE LA RUE PLC


                       DISPOSAL OF TRANSACTION SERVICES

                       ACTIVITIES TO ALPHYRA GROUP PLC


De La Rue has disposed of the Transaction Services activities of its Global
Services division to alphyra group plc.  Consideration is £6m comprising £3m
cash and £3m in alphyra group new shares.


Transaction Services facilitates cash payment for goods and services supplied
remotely via its UK-based PAYzoneO network. The business operates a network of
payment terminals located in convenience retail locations which support
pre-payments for utility bills.  In addition, a mobile phone electronic top-up
capability (e-Top-Up) also provides consumers with a service for topping-up
pre-paid credits on a mobile phone account.  The business employs 65 people
based in Dunfermline and Northwich in the UK.


In the year ended 31 March 2001, the business had sales of £7.4m and operating
losses of £1.5m.  The losses were mainly the result of an extensive investment
programme in expanding the business's network of terminals.  Net assets at
completion are estimated at £2.5m.


Commenting, Ian Much, chief executive of De La Rue, said:

'I am confident that the transaction we have concluded with alphyra represents
a good outcome for De La Rue's shareholders. Given apyhrya's market focus, the
deal will also further strengthen the Transaction Services business enabling
it to serve its customers better.'


                                    -ends-


For further information please contact:


De La Rue plc
Paul Hollingworth, Finance Director                        01256 605307
Mark Fearon, Head of Corporate Affairs  01256 605303


Brunswick
Stephen Breslin            Tel: [phone]


www.delarue.com


Notes to editors

1. About alphyra

alphyra group plc changed its name from ITG Group plc in May 2001 is a leading
European provider of electronic transaction services and facilities.  The
business delivers payment and prepayment solutions with confirmed universal
appeal to cellular operators, content providers and merchants across Europe.
alphyra already provides pre-paid mobile top-up solutions for leading
telecommunications providers in the UK, Ireland, Germany and Sweden.   These
include Vodafone, Orange and BT Cellnet in the UK, Digifone and eircell in
Ireland, E-Plus Mobilfunk in Germany and Telia Mobile in Sweden.


2. About De La Rue

De La Rue is the world's largest commercial security printer and papermaker,
involved in the production of over 150 national currencies and a wide range of
security documents such as travellers cheques and vouchers.  Employing over
6,500 people in 31 countries, the company is also a leading provider of cash
handling equipment and software solutions to banks and retailers worldwide,
helping them to reduce the cost of handling cash.    Applying our core brand
values of security, integrity and trust, De La Rue is at the centre of some of
the most innovative and exciting developments in the secure products and
services market.  We are pioneering new technologies from tailored solutions
to protect the world's brands through to government identity solutions in
secure passports and identity cards.