Transaction in Own Shares

Ashtead Group plc

25 July 2008

Ashtead Group plc ("the Company") announces that on 25 July 2008 it purchased
through UBS Limited, 620,000 ordinary shares at an average price of 68.9268
pence per share. The highest price paid was 69.50 pence per share and the
lowest price paid was 68.25 pence per share. The Company intends to hold these 
shares in Treasury.

Following the purchase of these shares, the Company holds 49,208,603 of its
shares in Treasury and has 512,364,123 shares in issue (excluding Treasury
shares). This number (512,364,123) 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