SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of September 18, 2002

MERANT plc
(Translation of Registrant's Name Into English)

Abbey View, Everard Close, St. Albans, Herts England
Al1 2PS (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or
will file annual reports under cover of 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   X                              No  _____
- -------

(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number
assigned to the registrant in connection with
Rule 12g3-2 (b): 82-795.)




                       LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT










Merant plc

Purchase of own Shares

Merant announces that on Monday 16 September 2002 it
purchased for cancellation 951,000 ordinary shares of 2p
each at a price of 88.5p.

Since MERANT commenced additional repurchases of its
ordinary shares on 10 June 2002 it has repurchased for
cancellation a total of10,951,229 ordinary shares.


END




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.


                                       MERANT plc
                                       (Registrant)


Date:  September 18, 2002              By: /s/ Stephen Going

				--------------------------------------
                         		Stephen Going
		 		Vice President & General Counsel