Record fall for FTSE

A record slump for London's FTSE 100 Index was confirmed tonight after a further bloodbath in panic-stricken financial markets.

The index of leading shares slumped another 3.4%, or 178 points, to close at a year-low of 5068.95 - the first time in its 27-year history that it has suffered falls of more than 100 points for four sessions in a row.