Transaction in Own Shares

Ashtead Group PLC
11 March 2008

Ashtead Group PLC
10 March 2008


Ashtead Group PLC (the 'Company') announces that on 10 March 2008 it purchased
through UBS Limited, 474,009 ordinary shares at an average price of 68.2763
pence per share. The highest price paid was 70 pence per share and the lowest
price paid was 66.25 pence per share.

The Company intends to hold these shares in Treasury.

Following the purchase of these shares, the Company holds 24,761,045 of its
shares in Treasury and has 536,811,681 shares in issue (excluding Treasury
shares).

This number (536,811,681) 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











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