James Latham plc

("James Latham" or the "Company")

Employee Benefit Trust Shareholding

James Latham announces that the Trustees of the James Latham plc Employee Benefits Trust ("EBT") acquired 12,500 ordinary 25p shares in the Company ("Ordinary Shares") on 24, 28 and 29 April at an average price of 1019.00p per share.

The resultant shareholding of the EBT is 134,847 Ordinary Shares representing 0.67 per cent. of the Company's Total Voting Rights.  These shares are not allocated to specific employees, although some of the shares may in future be allocated to directors.

The EBT holds Ordinary Shares for the benefit of the Company's employees and satisfies the vesting of awards made under the Company's share incentive schemes.

Market purchases may continue, subject to the independent Trustee's absolute discretion in respect of trading decisions, in consultation with its broker, to satisfy future requirements under the EBT.

For further information please visit www.lathamtimber.co.uk  or contact: