Universal, the world's biggest music group, today flagged up strong UK sales and rapid growth in downloads despite a tough market for recorded music.

The Vivendi-owned company said first-half sales at €2.1bn were broadly in line with a year ago leaving aside adverse currency effects.

Within that, second-quarter sales were up 3.8%, thanks largely to strong music publishing revenues. Digital sales of €315m were up 51% and now represent 15% of total revenues for Universal, well ahead of 11% for the global music industry as a whole.

Universal said bestsellers included albums from Nelly Furtado and Amy Winehouse and new releases from Maroon 5, Mika and Fall Out Boy.