Unsolicited Mail

Because the Company is obliged by law to make its share register available for inspection, some shareholders may receive unsolicited mail.

If you wish to limit the amount of unsolicited mail you receive, you can register on-line at www.mpsonline.org.uk or call the MPS Registration line on 0845 703 4599.

Alternatively please contact:

The Mailing Preference Service (MPS)
DMA House
70 Margaret Street
London W1W 8SS

The Mailing Preference Service is an independent organisation which offers a free service to the public. Registering with them will help stop most unsolicited consumer advertising.

Similar services exist to restrict unsolicited telephone calls, faxes and emails. You can obtain details of these other preference services from the Direct Marketing Association's website at www.dma.org.uk or by calling their helpline on 0845 703 4599.

Unsolicited Investment Calls

Over the last year many companies have become aware that their shareholders have received unsolicited phone calls or correspondence concerning investment matters which imply a connection to the company concerned. These are typically from overseas based "brokers" who target UK shareholders offering to sell them what often turn out to be worthless or high risk shares in US or UK investments.

They can be very persistent and extremely persuasive and a 2006 survey by the Financial Services Authority ("FSA") has reported that the average amount lost by investors is around £20,000. It is not just the novice investor that has been duped in this way; many of the victims had been successfully investing for several years. Shareholders are advised to be very wary of any unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a discount or offers of free reports into the Company.

If you receive any unsolicited investment advice:

• Make sure you get the correct name of the person and organisation and make a record of any other information they give you, e.g. telephone number, address etc
• Check that they are properly authorised by the FSA before getting involved. You can check at www.fsa.gov.uk/register.
• The FSA also maintains on its website a list of unauthorised overseas firms who are targeting, or have targeted, UK investors and any approach from such organisations should be reported to the FSA so that this list can be kept up to date and any other appropriate action can be considered. If you deal with an unauthorised firm, you would not be eligible to receive payment under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The FSA can, preferably, be contacted by completing an online form or, if you do not have access to the internet, on 0845 606 1234.
• Inform our Registrar on 0870 600 3967 who will record the details, pass them on to Severn Trent Plc and liaise with the FSA.

Details of any share dealing facilities that the company endorses will be included in company mailings.

For more information, shareholders may wish to refer to the FSA website for further details about Share Investment Scams and common Scams and Swindles