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SABMiller, one of the world's largest international brewers, saw a ten per cent increase in its lager sales volumes during the final quarter of 2006.

A trading statement issued today by the group, whose brands include Miller Genuine Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, revealed the acceleration in its growth, up 9.5 per cent in the first nine months of its financial year.

South American sales made a strong contribution to the increase, with Colombia and Peru recording especially strong results despite "competitive" market conditions.

In South Africa, a major market for the firm, stock shortages meant only limited advantage could be taken of buoyant consumer confidence, resulting in growth of just one per cent.

The Surrey-based group enjoyed a 13 per cent quarterly growth in Europe, with Poland, Russia and Romania performing especially well thanks to the region's "exceptionally mild winter".

"The group's financial performance has been in line with our expectations outlined at the time of the interim results announcement, despite the headwinds experienced at Miller and in South Africa," the statement concluded.

SABMiller, which is the largest bottler of Coca-Cola products outside the USA, saw its share value rise by 3.25 per cent on early morning trading.