Fears of war depress Footsie

The FTSE 100 Index has fallen 43.7 points to 3635.0 as fears over a looming conflict in Iraq continue.

There is little in the way of sector-wide trends and fallers include Capita Group down 4.5p at 207p, Tomkins off 6.25p at 197p and GlaxoSmithKline down 39p at 1109p.

Companies reporting results have also failed to make much of a positive impression with Shell 15.5p lower at 363p despite unveiling a surge in fourth quarter profits because of current high oil prices.

BP, which reports figures next week, is off 8.5p at 389p.

ICI has lost 5p at 199p after announcing flat profits and adding that some of its planned cost reductions will be delayed.