Around the World's Markets: London

BLUE CHIPS jumped to an eight-week high, relieved by a quarter-point rise in UK interest rates and enlivened by a surge in technology stocks ranging from software to telecoms.

The FTSE 100 closed 50.5 points or 0.8 per cent higher at 6,331.3 - its highest since 6 September and its fifth rise in the past six sessions. Analysts and dealers said the rate decision had cleared the air as well as providing a fresh element of anti-inflation protection.

Market Report, page 24