Improved sentiment on Wall Street helped blue-chip shares shake off worries over Ukraine and wipe out early session losses.

Plant hire group Ashtead today said major projects such as Crossrail and the Olympics underpinned its confidence in trading prospects in the UK.

Plant hire group Ashtead today agreed to buy a major US competitor for $1bn (£550m/€804.81m).

London shares bounced back from yesterday’s slump with gains across a range of sectors today.