RNS Number:9584K
Thorntons PLC
12 May 2003


                                  THORNTONS PLC
                                (the "Company")


The following Award granted under the Thorntons Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
on 12 May 2000 has lapsed due to the Performance Conditions not having been
achieved.


Director                             Number of             Total Held under LTIP
                                   Shares Lapsed     following this notification

Peter Burdon                          40,000                              55,000


The above Director, along with all employees who are beneficiaries of the
employee benefit trust, remains interested in all the 504,610 shares held by the
trust by virtue of being a member of the class of beneficiaries of the trust.



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