FTSE climbs for sixth day in a row

The FTSE 100 remains on track to make gains for the sixth day in a row, with miners powering ahead.

By mid-afternoon the FTSE 100 is up to 6,091, having gained 29.2 points.

Miners were pulling the index upwards on hopes the economic recovery will lead to higher demand for metals.

Vedanta Resources leads the winners' board, ahead by 4.3%, to trade at £23.34, while BHP Billiton is up 3% at £24.87.

Rio Tinto is also posting gains, up 1.83% at £44.46.

Elsewhere in Europe the French Cac is up 0.9% while the German Dax has posted gains of 1.69%.

The gains come amid a positive opening in the US. The Dow Jones was ahead by 0.53%, at 12,338.