Trading Statement

Hornby PLC 28 January 2008 Hornby Plc ('Hornby' or 'the Company') Trading Update Hornby is today issuing its regular update on trading for its second half to date, including the important Christmas and January period. Trading Update Following a strong first half performance, the Company continued to experience significant growth in the UK market during the pre-Christmas period. European demand was also strong and sales increased significantly, although to a slightly lesser extent than expected, due to delays in the rate of new product introductions. Order intake and sales for the final quarter (January-March) are expected to be above the strong levels experienced last year. Strategy Update The Company continues to make very good progress in rebuilding the sales of the brands it acquired in Continental Europe. Hornby is in the process of establishing itself as a strong contender in all key European markets. This strategy of targeting stable, collector markets across Europe represents a significant growth opportunity and will continue to broaden our operations and reduce further the Company's dependence on the UK market. It is clear that the rate of new product introduction required to meet market demand in Europe is placing additional strain on our supply chain. Steps are being taken to strengthen the management and manufacturing resources available to the company in this respect. The re-launch and future development of the acquired Airfix/Humbrol brands is well under way. The new Doctor Who kit, produced under licence from BBC Worldwide, has achieved widespread critical acclaim. The revitalisation of the Airfix product range is continuing apace and this will lead to further sales growth in all major markets. In addition to the Doctor Who licence the Company has secured the licence for a range of Shaun the Sheep products and in classic collection kits the much anticipated Nimrod kit will be launched before the end of March. Product Update The Company's new products launched this month to our retail customers have been extremely well received. The further development of the Scalextric and Hornby digital ranges is expected to continue to lead to an increase in average prices as consumers migrate to the digital format. Scalextric continues to consolidate its position as the market leader for digitally controlled slot-racing in most major world markets, and for 2008 Scalextric products based on the Vodafone Mercedes McLaren team and its outstanding driver Lewis Hamilton will continue to set the pace. In addition the company has secured the licence for a range of products based on the forthcoming James Bond movie. The Hornby Digital Control system for model railways is also expected to continue to gain momentum during 2008. Positive feedback from early adopters, coupled with new product introductions such as the infra-red controller, locomotives featuring authentic sounds and more powerful electronic chips give confidence that the Hornby system will be established rapidly in the main UK market and also throughout Europe. Chairman, Neil Johnson commented: ' A strong finish to 2007 shows once again that Hornby is extremely resilient in times of economic uncertainty. ' Strategically, we have continued to make very good progress in building a broadly based hobby business across Europe. There is excellent potential to continue this process and to leverage the brand strengths we have in the key European markets. The acquired Airfix/Humbrol brands are expected to continue to build on the strong growth already achieved, with further significant opportunities to develop this business in new markets over the coming years.' -ends - Date: January 28th 2008 For further information contact: Hornby Plc City Profile Neil Johnson, Chairman Simon Courtenay Frank Martin, Chief Executive William Attwell Andrew Morris, Group Finance Director 020-7448-3244 01843-233500 Web: www.hornby.com There will be a conference call with the Company at 8.30am on Monday 28th January 2008. The call will be hosted by Frank Martin, Chief Executive and Andrew Morris, Group Finance Director. The details are: Freefone dial-in number: 0808-1005145 UK national dial-in number: 0870-2407821 Participant passcode: 64934892 then # This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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Hornby (HRN)
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