Oil companies boost FTSE

BRITAIN’S top share index forged a new three-year high yesterday, lifted by oil companies BT and Shell as the sector continued to benefit from sky-high crude oil prices and fund manager Amvescap surged after receiving an offer from Canadian rival CI Fund Management.

The FTSE 100 index ended the session up 39.5 points, or 0.8%, at 5,229.6.