Clouds Lift A Little For The Footsie.

(From Western Daily Press)

London's blue chip shares enjoyed a welcome respite from recent falls yesterday as investors were tempted back to the market.

The benchmark FTSE 100 Index moved into positive territory early in the session and remained strong until the close, ending the day at 3,684.8 - a 71.5 point gain.

But analysts warned there was no strong conviction to the market as all eyes were still fixed on Iraq and the weak global economy.

Fresh survey gloom from the High Street and the embattled manufacturing sector did little to boost confidence.

But a higher opening for the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Wall Street was an …