Transaction in Own Shares

Ashtead Group PLC

27 February 2008



Ashtead Group plc (the "Company") announces that on 27 February 2008 it purchased through UBS Limited, 348,289 ordinary shares at an average price of 80.4077 pence per share. The highest price paid was 81.125 pence per share and
the lowest price paid was 79.375 pence per share.

The Company intends to hold these shares in Treasury.

Following the purchase of these shares, the Company holds 21,660,011 of its shares in Treasury and has 539,912,715shares in issue (excluding Treasury shares).

This number (539,912,715) 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