STRONGER mining and oil stocks ensured the London market made a better-than-expected start to the week today.

Spreadbetting firms forecast a flat opening, but with miners up by as much as 4% the Footsie climbed 67.7 points to another year-long high at 5257.9 in the first hour of trading.

The latest rally made up for a poor end to the session on Friday after the Footsie closed more than 30 points lower.

Major risers included silver producer Fresnillo, which added 30p to 853p, and Anglo American after a rise of 66p to 2266p. The improved confidence also meant property firms were higher, with British Land up 15.3p at 488.2p.

One of the biggest rises in the FTSE 250 Index came from William Hill after it said its retail arm remained on track to meet expectations, despite poor football results at the start of the season. Shares rose 7% or 9.4p to 170.5p as the company said punters were recycling their winnings.

National Express recovered some of Friday’s 23% slump, up 9% or 32.8p to 394.8p, after details emerged of a merger approach from rival Stagecoach, which declined 5p to 151.9p.