Mining stocks were down in early morning trading following a rise in the weakened dollar, affecting commodity prices.

The sector was also affected by news that an iron ore mining joint venture between BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto had come to a close.

Vedanta Resources was the biggest faller in early trading as share price dropped 3.7 per cent to 2,204p.

While Lonmin saw share price slide 3.4 per cent to 1,768p, Xstrata and Amtofagasta both dropped 2.8 per cent to 1,275p and 1,271p, respectively. Silver miner Fresnillo also saw share price drop by 2.6 per cent to 1,265p.

At the other end of the scale, Lloyds Banking Group saw share price rise by 1.8 per cent to 71.47p

The banking group saw share price strengthen after reports that analysts at Goldman Sachs increased its target price.

Medical devices company Smith & Nephew saw share rprice rise by 1.1 per cent, while Martin Sorrell's WPP rose 1 per cent to 728p.