Transaction in Own Shares

Compass Group PLC
03 December 2003

3 December 2003

Compass Group plc

Purchase of own shares for cancellation

Compass Group plc announces that on 3 December 2003 it purchased for
cancellation 1,750,000 ordinary shares at a price of 358.87p per share through
Merrill Lynch International.

Enquiries:

Justin Besley

Compass Group plc

01932 573 000




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