Consolidated profit and loss account
	for the year ended 31 December 2003     Note 2003 Before exceptional items and amortisation of intangibles £000 2003 Exceptional items and amortisation of intangibles (note 2) £000 2003 Total £000 2002 Before amortisation of intangibles £000 2002 Amortisation of intangibles (note 2) £000 2002 Total £000 Turnover   2 567,505 - 567,505 510,971 - 510,971 Operating costs*   3 (534,667) (13,881) (548,548) (476,627) (3,100) (479,727) Operating profit 2 32,838 (13,881) 18,957 34,344 (3,100) 31,244 Net interest payable 5 (4,151) - (4,151) (3,914) - (3,914) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation   28,687 (13,881) 14,806 30,430 (3,100) 27,330 Taxation 6 (11,211) 510 (10,701) (10,684) - (10,684) Profit on ordinary activities after taxation   17,476 (13,371) 4,105 19,746 (3,100) 16,646 Equity minority interests   (1,846) - (1,846) (233) - (233) Profit for the financial year   15,630 (13,371) 2,259 19,513 (3,100) 16,413 Dividends paid and proposed 7 (6,768) - (6,768) (6,284) - (6,284) Retained (loss)/profit for the financial year 20 8,862 (13,371) (4,509) 13,229 (3,100) 10,129 Basic earnings per share 8     3.5p     27.5p Diluted earnings per share 8     3.5p     27.3p Adjusted earnings per share** 8 24.1p     32.7p     Dividend per share 7     10.4p     9.9p   * Operating costs in 2003 include exceptional items of £10,444,000 (2002: £Nil). ** Adjusted earnings per share is calculated before exceptional items and amortisation of intangibles. The Group’s 2003 results shown above are derived from continuing operations. There were no material acquisitions or discontinued operations in the year. The difference between the reported and historical cost profits for each of the years reported above is not material.