Legal & General slipped 1.15p at 75.95p after it reported worldwide new business was down in the first nine months of 2009.

Falling metals prices stang the miners, with ENRC the worst-hit, down 43p at 836p and Xstrata off 44.5p at 877p. BHP Billiton dropped 59p at 1,631p and Lonmin slumped 73p at 1,462p.

Oil producers suffered with the general market, despite crude remaining above $77 a barrel, with Shell off 13p at 1,757.5p, BP down 7p at 577.7p and BG Group 12p lower at 1,062.5p.

Aerospace engine maker Rolls-Royce dived 10.6p at 441.1p on saying it expects profits to be similar to 2008. Rolls-Royce said the forward order book stood at record levels despite some cancellations.

Primark and Silver Spoon sugar owner Associated British Foods, dropped 14p at 819p, despite reporting a 4% rise in full year adjusted pre-tax profit and saying it was confident of future progress.

Service company Serco was the sole blue chip gainer at midday, up a penny at 508p, continuing to benefit from yesterday's news of a major new contract with the London Borough of Bexley.

Homeware retailer Dunelm provided a rare sign of improvment in the retailers, up 21p at 347p after reporting continued strong sales growth as it benefited from the demise of rivals such as Woolworths.

Bus and train operator Stagecoach skidded 3.5p at 139.7p on reporting overall profitability since end-April has remained in line with group expectations, although growth was slowing.

Story provided by Business Financial Newswire