Acquisition

Vp PLC
15 March 2004

                                                                   15 March 2004

                      Acquisition of Eve Shorco for £2.15m

Vp plc, the equipment rental specialist, today announces the acquisition of the
business and assets of Eve Shorco, part of Certas plc, a subsidiary of
Peterhouse Group PLC, for a cash consideration of £2.15 million.  The net asset
value at completion was approximately £2.6 million.

The business operates from locations in Glasgow, Andover and the Midlands and
will be integrated into Vp's existing shoring activities within the Groundforce
division.  Groundforce provides rental, sales and design of shoring systems and
allied services to the water, civil engineering and construction industries.


Jeremy Pilkington, Chairman & Chief Executive, commented:


'I am pleased that Vp has been able to acquire such a long established shoring
business which will further strengthen Groundforce's market position in this
sector.'


                                    - ends -


For further information:


Vp plc

Jeremy Pilkington, Chairman & Chief Executive      Tel: [phone]
Neil Stothard, Group Finance Director              www.vpplc.com

Media enquiries:


Bankside

Sarah Hollins                                       Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]


Notes to editors:


Vp plc


The principal activity of the Group is equipment rental and associated services
almost entirely conducted within the UK.  Vp plc listed on the London Stock
Exchange in 1973.

For the year ended 31 March 2003, Group turnover was £75.5 million.


The Group is focused on five businesses:


Torrent Trackside


•       Hire of portable track repair and renewals equipment, trackside lighting
and related support services to rail infrastructure maintenance companies.



Hire Station



•       Rental and sale of tools, small equipment and allied services to
industry, construction and homeowners plus three specialist offerings:



-       Safeforce - hire and sale of safety products, asset management and
training services.

-       Lifting Point - materials handling and lifting gear hire.

-       One Call - national call centre for tool hire.



UK Forks



•       Hire of rough terrain material handling equipment and accessories to the
house building and construction industry.  Unique in the transaction of the
business through a national call centre and dedicated services outlets.



Groundforce



•       Rental, sale and design of shoring systems and allied services to the
water, civil engineering and construction industries.



Airpac Oilfield Services



•       Servicing the international oil and gas exploration and development
markets with specialist air compressors and associated equipment.






                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange