FTSE closes higher as energy markets rebound (AFP)

LONDON (AFP) – London shares rebounded on Tuesday with mining, energy and bank share prices robust amid positive economic data.

The FTSE 100 index of top shares rose 0.78 percent to close at 5,766.88 points, as data confirmed Britain's economy grew 0.5 percent in the first quarter compared with the final quarter of last year.

"Gains in the price of copper and crude oil helped to provide a second day of gains for (London), with investors buying into the heavyweight mining and energy stocks," said Giles Watts, head of equities at City Index traders.

Miner Anglo American gained 2.58 percent to 2,957 pence and Cairn Energy climbed 2.97 percent to 395 pence.

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) was the biggest riser gaining 4.16 percent -- 1.46 pence -- to close at 36.55 points, followed by technology company Smiths Group which gained 3.79 percent -- 42 pence -- to finish at 1,149.

Tate and Lyle was the biggest faller, dropping1.83 percent -- 11.5 pence -- to 618.5, followed by BT Group which fell 1.67 percent -- 3.3 pence -- to 194.6.

Lloyds Banking Group was the most traded stock, seeing 122 million shares changes hands, while Schroders was the least traded at 78,604.

On the currency markets, a pound was worth $1.6009 at 17:00 BST, up from $1.5980 around the same time Monday while the euro stood at 1.1148 against the pound, up from 1.1202.