Contract Awarded

ALLEN PLC
7 October 1999


                                       
                              Allen Plc ('Allen')
       (Hire Services, Housebuilding, Civil Engineering Contracting, 
          Building Contracting, Property Development & Investment)
                                       

                  TRANSCO AWARDS MAJOR NEW CONTRACT TO ALLEN


Allen's  specialist utilities contractor, D J Ryan & Sons ('Ryan'),  has  been
awarded  a  new  five-year term contract by Transco.   The  award  renews  the
existing  contract  covering Kendal, Lancaster, Blackpool, Preston,  Blackburn
and Burnley and extends the operational area into Merseyside and the Wirral.

The  contract is for replacement gas mains, service laying, meter  connection,
leakage repair and reinstatement, and has a value of approximately £40 million
over the life of the contract.

Ken Fox, Allen's Chief Executive, commented:

'This is the  second major contract awarded to D J Ryan &  Sons  by  Transco
underlining the quality of our utilities' business and our commitment to  this
sector.

The  Transco  work together with our existing contracts for North West  Water,
Norweb  and  Severn Trent Water gives us a strong position in  the  developing
construction services sector.'


Enquiries:
Ken Fox (Chief Executive)                           01204 699277
Neil O'Brien (Finance Director)                     01204 699277

Simon Ellis                                         0171 786 9600
Binns & Co Public Relations