Transaction in Own Shares

Compass Group PLC
02 December 2003


2 December 2003

Compass Group plc

Purchase of own shares for cancellation

Compass Group plc announces that on 2 December 2003 it purchased for
cancellation 1,375,000 ordinary shares at a price of 352.26p per share through
Merrill Lynch International.

Enquiries:

Justin Besley

Compass Group plc

01932 573 000



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