Transaction in Own Shares

British Portfolio Trust PLC
16 August 2004


British Portfolio Trust plc announces that on 16 August 2004 it purchased, for
cancellation, 25,000 Ordinary 1p Shares (representing 0.05% of the issued
Ordinary Capital), at a price of 115p per Ordinary Share.

Settlement and cancellation of the purchased 25,000 Ordinary Shares is due on 19
August 2004 when the issued share capital of the Trust will fall to 47,430,002
Ordinary 1p Shares.

Enquiries:
P W I Ingram
Company Secretary
Tel: [phone]
16 August 2004


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