AN advertising campaign featuring record-breaking sprinter Usain Bolt helped cable operator Virgin Media deliver its best level of customer growth in two years.

The Jamaican athlete, who holds the world and Olympic record for the 100 metres and 200 metres, appears in an advert to promote the group’s programme to double broadband speeds for 4m customers.

Virgin Media said the campaign helped deliver 21,200 net cable customer additions in the three months to March 31, compared to 20,200 in the same period last year and beating City expectations of 11,000. It has a total 4.8m customers.

The group’s first quarter figures show an 18% rise in operating profits to £131m on revenue 2.4% ahead at £1bn.