Holding(s) in Company

Ashtead Group PLC
21 July 2004


                               Ashtead Group plc

                             Ordinary Shares of 10p


Ashtead Group plc announces that it has been advised by Aegon Asset Management
UK plc that the total interest of Aegon UK plc's group of companies in the
ordinary share capital of the Company stands at 4.05% (13,200,872 shares).

The above stated holding is an increase of 2,560,797 shares on its previously
notified holding.


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