Holding(s) in Company

Ashtead Group plc

15 August 2008

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

                            Ordinary Shares of 10p                             

Ashtead Group plc announces it has been advised that on 13 August 2008 Legal &
General Assurance Group plc were directly interested in a total of 28,263,830
shares (or 5.53% of its share capital).

Enquiries:

Ashtead Group plc 020 7726 9740

Eric Watkins