FTSE pulls 50 points clear of 4600 barrier

The London market looked set to end the week in fine style today after the FTSE 100 Index put on more than 50 points to pull clear of the 4600 barrier.

Upbeat news on the mortgage market from Northern Rock gave blue-chip shares an ideal start and helped the Footsie to set new two-year highs with a rise of 56.2 points to 4627 by mid-morning.