Rejection to Final Offer

RNS Number:9055U
Nationwide Accident Repair Srvs PLC
22 April 2002

Not for release, publication or distribution in or into the United States,
Canada, Australia or Japan


                    NATIONWIDE ACCIDENT REPAIR SERVICES PLC
                        ("NATIONWIDE" OR THE "COMPANY")

                            REJECTION OF FINAL OFFER

The Board of Nationwide notes today's announcement by Strand Partners Limited on
behalf of Guinness Peat Group plc and JO Hambro Capital Management Limited (the
"Bidders") of an increase in their shareholding to 44.74 per cent. and an
increased and final offer of 90p per share (the "Increased and Final Offer").

The Board, which has been so advised by Hawkpoint, believes that the Increased
and Final Offer still significantly undervalues the Company and its prospects.

The Board will be writing to shareholders again within the next week to set out
in detail its plans and targets for Nationwide over the medium term.  This will
be an important document for shareholders.  The Board urges shareholders to take
no action in relation to the Increased and Final Offer.

Nationwide's Chief Executive, Adrian Dunleavy, comments:

"This final offer confirms our belief that the Bidders have only ever been
interested in buying the Company on the cheap.  The offer is inadequate and
fails to reflect the inherent value of the business and its prospects."

                                                                 22nd April 2002

Enquiries:


Nationwide Accident Repair Services plc     Tel:      01992 515235
Adrian Dunleavy, Chief Executive

Hawkpoint                                   Tel:      020 7665 4500
(Financial Adviser to Nationwide)
David Renton

College Hill                                Tel:      020 7457 2020
(Public Relations Adviser to Nationwide)
Richard Pearson
Gareth David



Hawkpoint Partners Limited ("Hawkpoint"), which is regulated in the United
Kingdom by The Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for
Nationwide in connection with the Offer and for nobody else and will not be
responsible to anyone other than Nationwide for providing the protections
afforded to the customers of Hawkpoint, nor for providing advice in relation to
the Offer or the contents of this announcement or any matter referred to herein.

The directors of Nationwide accept sole responsibility for the information
contained in this announcement.  To the best of the knowledge and belief of the
directors of Nationwide (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such
is the case), the information contained in this announcement for which they are
solely responsible is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything
likely to affect the import of such information.



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

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