FTSE closes lower on poor US jobs data (AFP)

LONDON (AFP) – Share prices in London closed sharply lower on Thursday on poor US jobs data and continued eurozone debt worries.

The benchmark FTSE 100 index fell 1.71 percent to close ar 5,674.38 points.

Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) was the most widely traded stock, with 158 million shares changing hands, followed by Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which saw 125 million units switch ownership.

International Consolidated Airlines was the best blue-chip performer, rising 0.78 percent -- or 1.9 pence -- to finish at 244.4, followed by cruise liner firm Carnival, which rose 0.69 percent -- or 16 pence -- at 2,334.

London-listed mining stocks bore the brunt of the negative sentiment with Vedanta Resources was the biggest faller of the day, shedding 6.86 percent -- or 135 pence -- to close at 1,832.

It was followed by Eurasian Natural Resources, which slipped 5.05 percent -- or 37 pence -- to finish at 695.5

On the currency markets, a pound was worth 1.5986 dollars at 17:03 BST, down from 1.6125 at the same time Wednesday, while it stood at 1.1281 euros, up from 1.1207 over the same period.