Transaction in Own Shares

Ashtead Group PLC
08 January 2008


Ashtead Group PLC (the 'Company') announces that on 08 January 2008 it
purchased through Hoare Govett Limited's affiliate, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., London
Branch, 650,000 ordinary shares at an average price of 76.73 pence per share.
The Company intends to hold these shares in Treasury.

Following the purchase of these shares, the Company holds 7,702,000 of its
shares in Treasury and has 553,844,803 shares in issue (excluding Treasury
shares).

This number (553,844,803) 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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