Transaction in Own Shares

British Portfolio Trust PLC
12 October 2005


British Portfolio Trust plc announces that on 12 October 2005 it purchased, for
cancellation, 55,000 Ordinary 1p Shares (representing 0.12% of the issued
Ordinary Capital), at a price of 152p per Ordinary Share.

Settlement of the purchased 55,000 Ordinary Shares is due on 17 October 2005.

Following the purchase and cancellation of the 55,000 Ordinary Shares, the total
number of Treasury shares held by the Company will be 554,000. The issued share
capital of the Company, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held in
Treasury, will be 45,459,002 Ordinary 1p Shares.

Enquiries:

P W I Ingram
Company Secretary
Tel: [phone]
12 October 2005


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange