Around the World's Markets: London

SHARES MOVED towards their all- time peak with Footsie closing 85.4 points higher at 6,108.6, just 70.4 from its July record. Supporting shares were firm.

Banks led the Footsie charge with Barclays, following results and a higher dividend, up 102p to 1,692p. Tobaccos also made a big contribution, pushed up by the Government's decision to stop the National Health Service starting legal action to recover smoking related costs.

Derek Pain, page 21