Transaction in Own Shares

British Portfolio Trust PLC
03 August 2005

British Portfolio Trust plc announces that on 3 August 2005 it purchased, to be
held in treasury, 100,000 Ordinary Shares at 149p per share (representing 0.22%
of the issued ordinary capital).

Settlement of the purchased 100,000 Ordinary Shares is due on 8 August 2005.

Following the purchase and non-cancellation of the 100,000 Ordinary Shares, the
total number of treasury shares held by the Company will be 554,000. The issued
share capital of the Company, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held in
Treasury, will be 45,585,002 Ordinary 1p Shares.

Enquiries:

P W I Ingram

Company Secretary

Tel: [phone]

3 August 2005



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