Strong growth in its UK and Asian markets has helped Prudential post better than expected sales figures for the first three months of the year.

Total group insurance and investment sales rose 35% to �6.7bn, which included record insurance sales of �1.8bn in the UK.

New sales of pensions and savings products jumped to �806m across the group, up from �642m in the same period last year.

UK business was boosted by strong growth in the sales of with-profits bonds.

The product - which attempts to provide a smoother return on money invested - has appealed to cautious investors given recent turbulence on the stock markets.

Chief executive Jonathan Bloomer said the Prudential was looking to strike a distribution deal with a UK bank to help sell its products.

Last year the firm shed 4,000 jobs, which included the dismantling of its door-to-door sales team.

Prudential shares closed down 12p at 738p.