ASHBURTON COMMENCES DRILLING AT RED LAKE

February 23, 2010, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) announces that a 1,000 meter drill program has commenced on its Chukuni Property situated in the Red Lake Gold Camp, Ontario. Ashburton has an option agreement with Solitaire Minerals to acquire a 60-per-cent interest in the Chukuni property.

The 2009 summer exploration program on the Chukuni property involved an Induced Polarization (IP) survey with follow up field work and sampling of the accessible IP anomalies.  Due to the lack of outcrop, Mobile Metal Ion (MMI) soil surveys were carried out over five of the six best IP anomalies.  The priority target will be the northern contact of the Howey Bay Intrusive where a strong IP response that is typical for gold mineralization was obtained.

The Chukuni property lies within the southern corridor of the Cochenour- Gullrock deformation zone and is of particular interest within the Red Lake Mining District as this zone hosts the well known Red Lake-Campbell Mine Complex.

Mr. Andrew Tims, P.Geo. will be operating as the Company's qualified person under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Tims has reviewed the technical content of this news release and confirms its accuracy, and is independent of the Company.

Ashburton Ventures is a junior exploration company actively seeking mineral and energy opportunities for the benefit of all its stakeholders. For more information please visit the Company’s website located at www.ashburtonventures.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Michael England, President

For further information contact:

Telephone: (604) 683-3995