Holding(s) in Company

Ashtead Group plc

26th May 2006

                                ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                              

                             Ordinary Shares of 10p

Ashtead Group plc announces it has been advised that following its disposal of
64,465 shares, the total interest held by Aviva plc and its subsidiaries in the
Company's ordinary share capital at 23rd May 2006 was 20,096,774 shares or
4.97%.