Miners send FTSE plummeting

BHP Billiton was the biggest drag on the index with a drop of 3.17% to 887p, closely followed by Anglo American which fell 2.78% to end the day at £21.34, while Morrison supermarkets also slipped 2.78% to 244.5p. Brambles Industries was the biggest gainer, with a rise of 2.52% to 468.5p, ahead of Hanson, which as the only other gainer in the FTSE rose 0.67% to 680.5p, after a poor start on Wall Street kept stocks down. Mortgage lenders were also down with Northern Rock slipping 2.89% to £11.78, while Bradford & Bingley dropped 2.76% to 458.75p, and cruise operator Carnival dropped 2.77%...