Oil helps lift market as UK growth disappoints

The Footsie posted its highest one-day gain in more than two months, as recovering oil prices offset disappointing UK growth figures.

Strong overnight trading on Wall Street and Asia saw the Ftse 100 Index jump more than 2.6% higher, up 157.9 points to 6241, after Brent Crude lifted 3.2% to 37.28 US dollars a barrel.

The market’s Santa rally, on the last full day of trading before Christmas, was the biggest one-day gain since October 5.