Holding(s) in Company

Ashtead Group plc

14th December 2005

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

                             Ordinary Shares of 10p

Ashtead Group plc announces it has been advised that, following its disposal
of  690,000 shares, the total interest held by Aviva plc in the Company's
ordinary share capital at 9th December 2005 was 23,620,730 shares or 5.87%.