Norwich releases extra shares

Norwich Union has decided to make a further £400 million worth of shares available as part of next week's stock market flotation due to strong demand from shareholders.

The insurance group, whose shares will begin trading on the London Stock Market next Monday, said yesterday that it was increasing its share offer to its 2.9 million members, from £800 million to £1.2 billion, in response to strong demand for the shares. The extra shares have been taken from the amount originally reserved for institutions and other public investors. Page 2