Transaction in Own Shares

Ashtead Group plc

19 December 2008

Ashtead Group plc (the "Company") announces that on 19 December 2008 it
purchased through UBS Limited, 100,000 ordinary shares at an average price of
40.5258 pence per share. The highest price paid was 41 pence per share and the
lowest price paid was 40.125 pence per share.

The Company intends to hold these shares in Treasury.

Following the purchase of these shares, the Company holds 57,602,172 of its
shares in Treasury and has 503,970,554 shares in issue (excluding Treasury
shares).

This number (503,970,554) represents the total voting rights in the Company and
may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which
they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a
change to their interest in, Ashtead Group plc under the FSA's Disclosure and
Transparency Rules.

Enquiries:

Ashtead Group plc 020 7726 9740

Eric Watkins