Holding in Company

Ashtead Group PLC
8 November 2000


                  DEALINGS BY SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS


1)   NAME OF COMPANY

ASHTEAD GROUP PLC

2)   NAME OF SHAREHOLDER HAVING A MAJOR INTEREST

PRUDENTIAL PLC

3)   Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of 
     holding of the Shareholder named in 2 above or in respect of a 
     non-beneficial interest or in the case of an individual holder if it is a
     holding of that person's spouse or children under the age of 18

FUND MANAGER (M&G INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LTD)

4)   Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the 
     number of shares held by each of them.

PRUCLT HSBC GIS NOM (UK) PAC A/C   12,800,000
PRUCLT HSBC GIS NOM (UK PPL A/C    60,545

5)   Number of shares/amount of stock acquired.



6)   ( N/A %) of issued Class

7)   Number of shares/amount of stock disposed

1,250,601

8)   ( 0.39% ) of issued Class

9)   Class of security

10P ORDINARY SHARES

10)  Date of transaction

NOT ADVISED 

11)  Date company informed

08.11.00

12)  Total holding following this notification

12,860,545
               
              
13)  Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification

3.98%

14)  Any additional information

323,512,385 SHARES IN ISSUE

15)  Name of contact and telephone number for queries

ROBERT CLARK
01372 224 773

16)  Name and signature of authorised company official responsible for 
     making this notification

     Date of Notification ......08.11.00.....