RNS Number:4853L
Thorntons PLC
23 May 2003



                         Thorntons plc ("the Company")

                             DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST


The Company has received notification today that, following a purchase of
250,000 shares on 22 May 2003, The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust now holds
3,500,000 ordinary shares of 10p each in the Company,  representing 5.26% of the
total shares in issue.



PERMCPY/SHARENOTIFICATION,1


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