Transaction in Own Shares

Ashtead Group PLC
31 January 2008

Ashtead Group PLC

31 January 2008


Ashtead Group PLC (the 'Company') announces that on 31 January 2008 it purchased
through UBS Limited, 150,000 ordinary shares at an average price of 77.0734
pence per share. The highest price paid was 77.75 pence per share and the lowest
price paid was 76.50 pence per share.



The Company intends to hold these shares in Treasury.



Following the purchase of these shares, the Company holds 14,814,961 of its
shares in Treasury and has 546,757,765 shares in issue (excluding Treasury
shares).


This number (546,757,765) 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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