Consolidated profit and loss account
	for the year ended 31 December 2002         Note 2002 Continuing operations £000 2002 Continuing operations Acquisitions £000 2002 Continuing operations Total £000 2001 Continuing operations Total £000 Turnover       2 502,403 8.568 510,971 422,248 Operating costs       3 (472,451) (7,276) (479,727) (398,070) Operating profit before amortisation of goodwill 32,955 1,389 34,344 25,429 Amortisation of goodwill   (3,003) (97) (3,100) (1,251) Operating profit 2 29,925 1,292 31,244 24,178 Net interest payable 5     (3,914) (1,785) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 2     27,330 22,393 Taxation 6     (10,684) (8,684) Profit on ordinary activities after taxation       16,646 13,709 Equity minority interests       (233) (342) Profit for the financial year       16,413 13,367 Dividends paid and proposed 7     (6,284) (5,401) Retained profit for the financial year 20     10,129 7,966 Basic earnings per share 8     27.5p 23.6p Earnings per share before amortisation of goodwill 8     32.7p 25.8p Diluted earnings per share 8     27.3p 23.4p Diluted earnings per share before amortisation of goodwill 8     32.5p 25.6p   There is no difference between the profit on ordinary activities before taxation and the retained profit for the financial year stated above, and their historical cost equivalents.