Acquisition(s)

Ashtead Group plc

9th February 2006

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

               Sunbelt acquires its 16th 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 the business and assets
of Fast Rentals, the operator of a well established rental store serving the St
Petersburg, Florida market for a consideration of $1.05 million.

This acquisition further extends Sunbelt's presence in the Florida Gulf area. 
It follows earlier acquisitions in Tennessee, California, Indiana, Florida and
Nevada and greenfield openings in Phoenix, Houston, Maryland, Chicago and Las
Vegas to make a total of 21 new stores opened or acquired in the current
financial year and brings the total number of Sunbelt's stores to 207.

Contacts:

Ashtead                                                                      
                                                                             
Cob Stenham         Non-executive Chairman    020 7299 5562                  
                                                                             
George Burnett      Chief Executive        )                                 
                                                                             
Ian Robson          Finance Director       )  01372 362300                   
                                                                             
Maitland                                                                     
                                                                             
Brian Hudspith                                020 7379 5151