ECB keep rates at record low

The ECB has decided to keep interest rates on hold, following a meeting this afternoon.

The base rate will remain at the historic low of 0.75% for another month at least.

All eyes now turn to ECB President Mario Draghi's regular news conference where financial markets are hoping he will unveil the details of a new bond-buying programme to help crisis-wracked eurozone countries.

Bond sales across Europe are pointing at a possible upswing in the Eurozone - in anticipation of good news from the ECB.

A French bond auction saw almost €3bn worth of 10-year bonds sold at historic lows.

Earlier this morning, Spain borrowed €3.5bn at lower rates owing to market expectations of an ECB decision.