Blue-chip shares continued to drift today as the FTSE 100 Index again appeared reluctant to break through the 4200 barrier.

Worries over economic prospects on both sides of the Atlantic sent London shares lower for a second successive session today.

The FTSE 100 Index is up 52.8 at 4417.6 at mid-morning.

Early gains on the Footsie 100 index have evaporated by mid-morning, leaving it down 19.4 points at 5389.3.