Director Shareholding

Ashtead Group PLC
8 August 2002



The Company reports that the following option award under the Company's
Unapproved Share Option Plan were made to a director on 2 August 2002:

                 Number of Shares under Option             Option Exercise Price

Sat Dhaiwal                   150,000                               49.5p

Mr Dhaiwal already held the following options prior to the above grant:

Date Granted        Number of Shares under Option          Option Exercise Price
Unapproved Scheme:

28 February 1997              40,000                               132.25p
03 February 1998              32,500                               184.20p
26 February 1999              50,000                               172.50p
09 February 2001              35,000                               125.00p
26 February 2002              28,000                                41.50p
Approved Scheme:
26 February 2002              72,000                                41.50p


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