The FTSE 100 index closed down 41.19 points, 0.5%, at 8,834.03. The FTSE 250 ended 46.97 points lower, 0.2%, at 21,237.05, and the AIM All-Share fell 3.49 points, 0.5%, at 760.65.

Gold is extending yesterday's 1.4% loss, the largest pullback in a month, to trade briefly below last Friday's low (~$3380).