Holding(s) in Company

Ashtead Group plc

4 September 2008

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

                            Ordinary Shares of 10p                             

Ashtead Group plc announces it has been advised that on 2 September 2008 Legal
& General Assurance Group plc were directly interested in a total of 25,117,775
shares (or 4.92% of its share capital).

Enquiries:

Ashtead Group plc 020 7726 9740

Eric Watkins