Transaction in Own Shares

Compass Group PLC
18 August 2006



18th August 2006

                               Compass Group PLC


                    Purchase of own shares for cancellation


Compass Group PLC announces that on 18 August 2006 it purchased for cancellation
500,000 ordinary shares at a price of 254.7375 pence per share through Merrill
Lynch International.





Enquiries:

Justin Besley                        Compass Group PLC
01932 573 000




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