Virgin Mobile, the UK’s fifth-largest mobile operator, has reported user numbers up 12% on a year ago, including an extra 193,000 customers in the three months to December, with 4.35 million customers compared to 3.88 million a year ago.

In December, the Virgin Mobile board rejected an £817m bid from cable operator NTL, saying that it undervalued the business. However, Richard Branson, who owns 72% of the company, backed the deal.

Tony Alexander, chief executive of Virgin Mobile, said: “Our discussions with NTL about a potential offer are ongoing and we will make further announcements in due course.”