It said Corniche Hotels - a company of which finance director John Laycock is a beneficiary - had exercised options in respect of 100,000 shares.

Laycock now has an interest in 200,000 shares representing approximately 0.16% of the total voting rights.

And it said chairman Patrick Cross had exercised options in respect of 200,000 shares.

He has an interest in 540,000 ordinary shares - approximately 0.44% of the total voting rights.

Empyrean's total issued and voting share capital now comprises 122,224,460 ordinary shares.

Story provided by Business Financial Newswire