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



Forward-Looking Statement:
Some of the 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.