Surging sales of the iPod digital music player proved music to the ears of Apple today after the US company reported that profits had tripled.

Apple said demand for iPods climbed 909 per cent in the three months to March 27, contributing to net profits of 46 million US dollars (£25.7m).

Analysts said the results, which included a 29 per cent rise in revenues to 1.91 billion US dollars (£1.06bn), were way ahead of expectations on Wall Street.

Chief executive Steve Jobs told investors: "We experienced growth in most areas of our business - most dramatically in selling a record 807,000 iPods."

iPods have proved a smash hit since their launch in 2001 and their impact on the music industry has drawn parallels with the debut of the Sony Walkman in the 1970s.

Celebrities thought to own iPods include pop idol Robbie Williams, England football captain David Beckham and rap star P Diddy.

Updated: 10:56 Friday, April 16, 2004