FTSE 100 closes at highest level since May 2008

The blue-chip index rose 0.74% to 6,098 and surpassed its 2011 peak of 6,091 seen in February. Among the winners were Lloyds Banking Group, up 4.94% at 53.27p, as well as peer Royal Bank of Scotland which was 3.83% firmer at 349.90p. The banks helped counter falls at insurer Aviva - down 2.15% at 373.70p after an earlier fall of 2.5% amid fears over its dividend - as well as at Imperial Tobacco which was off 1.4% at £24.39 early in the afternoon but since regained some ground. The UK's leading index has enjoyed a boost since late December, rising about 4%. It has been helped hig...