TO:                RNS

DATE:           5 September 2008 

SUBJECT:    British Assets Trust plc

TRANSACTION IN OWN SECURITIES

The Board of British Assets Trust plc announces that on 5 September 2008 the Company purchased for cancellation 2,900,000 ordinary shares of 25p at a price of 109.50p per share.

Following this purchase there are now 292,612,282 ordinary shares of 25p with voting rights in British Assets Trust plc.

The above figure (292,612,282) may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, British Assets Trust plc under the FSA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

All Enquiries: 

G R Hay Smith                       F&C Investment Business Limited 020 7628 8000

Company Secretary

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