SAYE Options

Ashtead Group PLC
09 August 2004


                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC
                   SAYE Options Granted to Executive Directors


Ashtead Group plc announces that the executive directors listed below have been
granted options as detailed below under the Company's UK Save As You Earn option
scheme:

Name of Director                    George       Stuart Ian     Satpal Singh
                                    Burnett      Robson         Dhaiwal

Date of Grant                       05 August    05 August      05 August 2004
                                    2004         2004

Period during which or date on      5 August     5 August       5 August 
which exercisable                   2007 -       2007 -         2007 -
                                    5 February   5 February     5 February
                                    2008         2008           2008

Total amount paid (if any)          Nil          Nil            Nil
for the grant option

Description of Shares               Ordinary     Ordinary       Ordinary

Exercise Price                      30.74p       30.74p         30.74p

Total number of shares              10,792       10,792         10,792



Contacts:

Cob Stenham         Chairman                                020 7299 5562
George Burnett      Chief Executive          )              01372 362300
Ian Robson          Finance Director         )

David Trenchard     Tulchan Communications                  020 7353 4200











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