Britain’s major share index climbed, flirting with its record high level but underperforming European peers,

Britain's blue chip share index held firm today in the wake of the US Government's planned US$700bn (€483.5bn) banking sector bail-out.

BRITAIN’S top share index forged a new three-year high yesterday, lifted by oil companies BT and Shell as the sector continued to benefit from sky-high crude oil prices and fund manager Amvescap surged after receiving an offer from Canadian rival CI Fund Management.