FORM 6-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                            Report of Foreign Issuer


                      Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                                  May 22, 2003


                               BRITISH ENERGY PLC
                               (Registrant's name)


                               3 Redwood Crescent
                                    Peel Park
                              East Kilbride G74 5PR
                                    Scotland
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant  files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

                          Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F.....

Indicate by check mark whether the  registrant  by  furnishing  the  information
contained  in this  Form is  also  thereby  furnishing  the  information  to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                               Yes ..... No ..X..

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):



                                 Exhibit Index

The following  document  (bearing the exhibit  number listed below) is furnished
herewith and is made a part of this Report pursuant to the General  Instructions
for Form 6-K:

Exhibit       Description

No. 1         RNS Announcement, re:  Forthcoming Release of Prelim
              dated  22 May 2003



British Energy plc - Forthcoming Release of Preliminary Results for the
year-ended 31 March 2003

British Energy announced today that it will be releasing its Preliminary Results
for the financial year ended 31 March 2003 on Tuesday, 3 June 2003.



                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


Date:  May 22, 2003                        BRITISH ENERGY PLC

                                           By:____Paul Heward____

                                           Name:  Paul Heward
                                           Title: Director - Investor Relations