SALES of Aviva’s UK life and pensions business, centred on York, have soared in the first quarter of 2010 to £2.75 billion.

This is an increase of 14 per cent on the previous three months.

Latest quarterly figures released today by the financial services giant also show that collective investment sales rose from £418 million in the final quarter of last year to £426 million in the first three months of 2010.

The UK and European figures were the primary engines for Aviva's international growth, accounting for 85 per cent of all long term savings in the first quarter. Sales globally were up 16 per cent to £10 billion.

Business editor Ron Godfrey speaks to David Barral, York-based chief operating officer for the UK Life business in tomorrow’s issue of The Press.