Barclays (BARC.L) was the biggest faller early on in trading (at 0928) as share price fell 4.1 per cent to 173p.

The bank saw share price slip as news broke that Greece may fail to meet deficit targets in 2011.

Reports also revealed a $67.4 million claim was made against the bank by a trustee liquidating the money management firm of Ponzi fraudster Bernard Madoff.

Elsewhere, drug maker AstraZeneca (AZN.L) dropped 3.8 per cent to 2,805p, after a report comparing its cholesterol-lowering drug, Crestor, and a rival.

Miner Kazakhmys (KAZ.L) fell 3.6 per cent to 1,037p, while private equity group 3i (III.L) and insurer Aviva (AV.L) both dropped 3.4 per cent to 204.6p and 328.2p, respectively.

There were few risers, with Randgold Resources (RRS.L) increasing its share price by just 0.8 per cent to 6,445p (at 0930).

Satellite communications company Inmarsat (ISAT.L) rose 0.7 per cent to 483.9p, while services company Serco (SRP.L) increased by 0.4 per cent to 514p.

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