Trading Statement

Hornby PLC
3 February 2003



                                 Trading Update

                  HORNBY BOOSTED BY STRONG PRE-CHRISTMAS SALES

                            AND NEW PRODUCT LAUNCHES

Hornby Plc ('Hornby' or 'the Company') is pleased to announce that consumer
purchases of its products in the pre-Christmas period, although later than last
year, continued to be strong and that the Company anticipates a good final
quarter performance.

Sales of the Company's Hornby railways and Scalextric slot car racing products
in the three-month period to December 2002 were both higher than the previous
year and retailers reported a clean sell-through prior to Christmas.

New products introduced in the final months of 2002 are expected to continue the
Company's sales momentum in the final quarter of the current financial year.

The Company's new products launched at the London and Nurnberg Toy Fairs last
week were well received. In particular the patented Scalextric 'Challenger'
system, incorporating an in-car computer, which 'learns' the track layout to
provide the ultimate racing challenge, is expected to be a major success both in
the UK and in International markets.

The launch of an upgraded version of the 'Hornby Virtual Railway' reflects the
Company's continued commitment to leverage its brand strength, and in so doing,
attract new entrants to the hobbies of Hornby model railways and Scalextric slot
car racing.

In light of the above, the Company is trading ahead of current market
expectations for the financial year ending 31 March 2003.

Chairman, Neil Johnson commented:

' Once again I am delighted to announce details of our recent trading, which
continues to reflect the successful product development and marketing strategies
being pursued in all sectors of the business. Retail sell-through prior to
Christmas was a little later than last year, but our continued commitment to
consumer promotion, and the perennially popular nature of our Hornby and
Scalextric ranges resulted in 'clean shelves' as we entered 2003.

' The Hornby range now has a firmly established following in the hobby/collector
market. Product quality and detail improvements are now also driving Scalextric
sales to the growing enthusiast/collector market both in the UK and
Internationally. This reinforces our strategy of focussing Scalextric product
introductions on subjects with the widest International appeal.'

                                    -ends -

Date: 3 February 2003

For further information contact:

Hornby Plc                             City Profile Group

Neil Johnson, Chairman                 Simon Courtenay
Frank Martin, Chief Executive          Ed Senior
01843-233-500                          020-7448-3244 or 07958-754273
Web: www.hornby.com                    e-mail: [e-mail]


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