Leading shares closed slightly up, having pared gains in afternoon deals amid doubts about the U.S. government's plans to help mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the AFP reported.
The FTSE 100 index closed up 38.8 points at 5,300.4, with ITV the top riser, up 4.6 pence, -- or 12 percent - at 42.9, on hopes a takeover approach is imminent.
RBS was the most widely traded stock, seeing 167 million shares switch owners, followed by Vodafone, which saw 137 million units change hands.
Eurasian Natural was the second best performer, up 91 pence -- or 8 percent -- at 1228.
Thomson Reuters was the day's biggest loser, falling 40 pence -- or 3.11 percent -- to 1245, and Imperial Tobacco was the second worst performer, sliding 39 pence -- or 2.27 percent -- to 1678.