Transaction in Own Shares

British Portfolio Trust PLC
13 May 2005

British Portfolio Trust plc announces that on 13 May 2005 it purchased, for
cancellation, 17,500 Ordinary 1p Shares (representing 0.04% of the issued
Ordinary Capital), at a price of 134p per Ordinary Share.

Settlement of the purchased 17,500 Ordinary Shares is due on 18 May 2005.

Following the purchase and cancellation of the 17,500 Ordinary Shares, the total
number of treasury shares held by the Company will be 100,000. The issued share
capital of the Company, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held in
Treasury, will be 46,109,002 Ordinary 1p Shares.

Enquiries:

P W I Ingram

Company Secretary

Tel: [phone]

13 May 2005






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