Positive end to turbulent week as Footsie closes up

LONDON shares ended a dramatic week on an upbeat note yesterday as the FTSE 100 index continued its revival.

Investors shrugged off a weaker start on Wall Street and bought a host of heavyweight blue-chip stocks. Figures showing Britain's economy grew at a faster rate than expected in the second quarter also boosted spirits.

By the close the Footsie was up 56.6 points at 3907.2 1% above its starting point at the beginning of the week. Banks, oils and pharmaceuticals all moved up despite an early 100-point slide on the Dow Jones in New York.