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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Date of 20 May 2003

BHP Billiton Limited

ABN 49 004 028 077

600 Bourke Street

Melbourne Victoria 3000

Australia

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

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

Issued by: BHP Billiton Plc

In connection with the proposed repurchase of shares approved by shareholders at the annual general meeting on 4 November 2002, BHP Billiton Plc ("BHP Billiton") announces that it has been notified by Nelson Investment Limited ("Nelson") that on 19 May 2003 Nelson purchased, through J. P. Morgan Securities Ltd., 750,000 ordinary shares of US$0.50 each in BHP Billiton at a price of Pounds 3.03945 per share.

The purchase represents approximately 0.030387 per cent of BHP Billiton's issued ordinary share capital and brings the aggregate number of shares purchased to date by Nelson Investment Limited to 3,440,000, representing approximately 0.139376 per cent of BHP Billiton's issued ordinary share capital.

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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.

BHP BILLITON LIMITED
/s/ KAREN WOOD
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Karen Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date: 20 May 2003