Insurer Aviva is to sell its RAC roadside rescue business in Britain to private equity firm the Carlyle Group for £1 billion, as the group continues scaling back from non-core areas to focus on its insurance operations.

The group said it expected an accounting profit of £600 million from the sale of Britain's second-largest breakdown recovery group, and would use the proceeds to strengthen its balance sheet and invest in its main markets.

Its shares rose 1.3 per cent to 434.80 pence in early trade, to be the best performer on Britain's benchmark FTSE 100 index, which was down 0.8 per cent.

Aviva, which operates in 30 countries, has been trying to boost profit by concentrating on 12 markets where it makes most money. As part of its plan, the company has walked away from less profitable businesses in Italy and the United States.

The company also cut its stake in Dutch unit Delta Lloyd in April, netting £381 million.

Aviva said today it was confident of meeting its near-term financial targets.

Its shares have risen by around 10 per cent over the past six months and by nearly 30 per cent over the past year. By contrast, shares in British rival Prudential have risen 3 per cent and 25 per cent over the same two periods, respectively.

JP Morgan Cazenove advised Aviva on the deal, while Lazard worked for Carlyle.

Reuters