Footsie closes up

The FTSE-100 has closed up 71.2 at 3900.6.

Risers included Granada up 5.25p at 78.25p and British Airways up 7.5p at 139p.

Among the fallers was BAE Systems, down 4.5p at 122.75p.

Growing fears over war in Iraq and the strike in Venezuela saw Brent crude break through the $31 (£19) barrier at one stage during today's trading. BP rose 9p to 424p while Shell climbed 5p higher to 406.25p.

Financial stocks were also helping buoy the market with banks managing to pull back some of Friday's losses. Royal Bank of Scotland rose 32p to 1471p, HBOS edged up 19p to 644p while Standard Chartered rose 14.5p to 707p.