Brewer SABMiller today said soaring demand for its Polish beer brands in the UK had contributed to a 14% hike in half-year earnings.

Signs of a revival in merger and acquisition activity helped the FTSE 100 Index power above the 6600 barrier today.

Investors continued to cram the exit doors today with £31 billion wiped off the value of the FTSE 100 Index.

Negative reaction to a batch of top-flight results kept the London market in check today.