March 16, 2010, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) has received positive results for its first phase of geologic mapping and sampling at the Deep Creek property, which encompasses 324 hectares (800 acres) located approximately 112 kilometers north of Elko, Nevada and 56 kilometers northeast of the Newmont-owned Midas mine in the Independence segment of the prolific Carlin gold trend.  

Gold at Deep Creek was first discovered by Franco-Nevada in the mid 1980's, when two large geochemical anomalies were identified. As described in a previous news release, mineralization is believed to be associated with highly silicified breccias and sinters along a prominent range front structure (Ashburton News Release December 23, 2009).

In the present program, rock samples were collected along the range-front structure from hydrothermal veins, breccias, and sinters, and from the older sedimentary rocks that host them. A total of 46 float and outcrop samples were collected along a strike length of roughly 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles), with the objective of sampling the lithologic variations observed along the range front structure. Gold was assayed for all samples at ALS Chemex (North Vancouver) using the AA-24 method, with a detection limit of 0.005 ppm Au. Gold contents range from 0.01-8.58 ppm for breccias (10 samples), 0.01-4.24 ppm for stockwork/veins (15 samples), and 0.02-3.07 ppm for sinters (5 samples). Sedimentary rocks collected up to 350 meters from the range front structure include argillite, quartzite, limestone, and shale (17 samples), with gold from below detection up to 1.44 ppm Au.

The results are encouraging as they demonstrate that gold is enhanced in both the hydrothermal features along the range front structure, and in the sedimentary rocks hosting the structure.

The technical contents of this release were approved by Ashburton director and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Dr. Tom McCandless, P.Geo.

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

Forward-Looking Statement:
Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information that involves inherent risk and uncertainty affecting the business of Ashburton Ventures Inc. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.