Sept 29 (Reuters) - AstraZeneca ( AZN ) said on Monday

it would now directly list its shares on the New York Stock

Exchange, instead of the current depository shares, and that it

would remain listed and headquartered in London in a vote of

confidence for the UK.

The move comes after reports that the Anglo-Swedish

drugmaker, which is London's most valuable company, was

considering ditching its London listing in favour of the U.S.,

raising worries about the shrinking London stock market as

companies move away in hopes of higher valuations and access to

deeper capital markets.

AstraZeneca ( AZN ) earlier this month also paused a planned 200

million pound ($268.80 million) investment in its Cambridge

research site.

"Enabling a global listing structure will allow us to reach

a broader mix of global investors," AstraZeneca Chair Michel

Demaré said in a statement.

($1 = 0.7440 pounds)