Shares in Burmah Castrol rose 28p to 1064p, continuing their recent strong run, as the lubricants and chemicals business announced full-year results for its 51 per cent owned Indian subsidiary. Castrol India, the third largest of Burmah's Castrol companies in profit terms after the US and Germany, saw operating profits rise from pounds 21.8m to pounds 24.4m.

Ian Pringle, director of Castrol Asia Pacific, said: "This is another exceptionally good performance from Castrol India. Following deregulation of the Indian lubricants market, we have pursued a 'dash for growth' policy, to build market share as rapidly as possible."