London shares end lower

Leading shares ended the day sharply lower, after data showing a surprise contraction of the US manufacturing sector acted to wipe out the gains amongst technology and telecom issues that had earlier pushed the FTSE 100 index to three-month highs, dealers said.

The FTSE 100 closed down 15.9 points at 4,154.3, well off its midafternoon peak of 4,218.6.