Acquisition(s)

6 October 2005

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

               SUNBELT ACQUIRES ITS 10TH RENTAL STORE THIS YEAR                

Ashtead Group plc, the equipment rental group serving the US and UK
construction, industrial and homeowner market, announces that its US
subsidiary, Sunbelt Rentals Inc, has recently acquired Lewis Brothers Inc, the
operator of a well established rental store serving the Indianapolis, Indiana
market for a consideration of £3.4 million.

This acquisition further extends Sunbelt's presence in the Indianapolis area
and follows earlier acquisitions in Florida, Tennessee, California and Nevada
and recent greenfield openings in Phoenix, Houston and Maryland to make a total
of 13 new stores opened or acquired in the current financial year.

The aggregate consideration for the acquisitions this year is US$29 million
which has been financed from existing credit facilities.

Contacts:                                                                      
                                                                               
Cob Stenham           Non-executive chairman         020 7299 5562             
                                                                               
George Burnett        Chief executive       )                                        
                                            )        01372 362300                          
Ian Robson            Finance director      )                     
                                                                               
Brian Hudspith        Maitland                       020 7379 5151