"We are increasing our share buyback as part of ourcommitment to return at least 4 billion pounds to ordinary shareholders," group chief executive Amanda Blanc said in a statement.

Aviva has been under pressure from activist investor Cevian to increase its shareholder payouts, saying the insurer should return 5 billion pounds to investors by the end of 2022 after selling a string of its international businesses.

($1 = 0.7543 pounds)

(Reporting by Emma-Victoria Farr; Editing by Rachel Armstrong)