Consumers in the UK are increasingly looking for ethical investments, according to recent research from Friends Provident.

The study found that although around one in four people want the best returning pension irregardless of whether it is ethically structured, one in six want both good returns and ethical concerns to be incorporated into the ethical strategy.

Friends Provident, which it states launched one of the first retail ethical pension funds in 1984, also adds that people will become increasingly interested in ethical investments.

The research has also identified a new group of investors, which it terms the Nu Authentics, who are looking to take out more ethically sound investments.

Commenting on the report, which was carried out by The Future Laboratory, Julia Dreblow, SRI marketing manager at Friends Provident, said that people are increasingly looking to do their bit for society.

The common view that investors are only motivated by financial return is simply outdated, she added.

Commenting on Friends Provident's own pension fund, Ms Dreblow said that the good news for investors is that choosing the fund makes both sound moral and financial sense as it is a top investment performer.

Friends Provident's origins can be traced back to 1832 and it now currently operates in three main areas. These include its life insurance and pensions business, its international life insurance and pensions business and an asset management business.