Norwich Union is owned by Aviva

In 2004, global sales of its life and pension products rose to �2.55bn ($4.79bn) from �2.377bn in 2003.

The firm - which owns the Norwich Union brand - saw total UK sales climb 13%.

"We had a strong finish to the year, having seen a gradual return of customer confidence in 2004," said group chief executive Richard Harvey.

'Confident'

Mr Harvey said the group had "further developed" its business and distribution in Asia and "continued to build momentum".

Just over a year ago the group announced it was outsourcing 2,350 Norwich Union posts from the UK to India, saying operating costs in India were typically 30-40% lower.

Aviva said it had been outperforming local markets in France, Holland, Italy and Spain, while in the UK it had seen a return to growth in 2004.

"We are confident of further profitable growth in 2005," said Mr Harvey.

Its figures - which were on an 'annual premium equivalent' basis, a standard measure used to iron out volatility - were ahead of analysts' consensus predictions.