"New oil frontier" helps extend winning run.

Byline: Gary Stockdale

THE FTSE 100 Index extended its winning run on Wednesday closing up 82.0 points at 5124.1.

On the upside, Tullow Oil gained 100p to 1187p, after reports that its development partner Anadarko Petroleum will announce a new oil "frontier" stretching 1,100 kilometres from Ghana to Sierra Leone.

Mining stocks were also prominent on the risers board, led by Eurasian Natural Resources.

The stock was 55.5p ahead at 916.5p after it confirmed talks over a possible takeover of African miner Camec late in the session.

Retailer Next climbed 116p to 1815p after exceeding market expectations with a 6.9% rise in first-half pre-tax profit.

Management also raised its guidance with full-year profit expected to come in close to last year's pounds 429m.

The interim dividend was raised 5.6% to 19.0p.

The London Stock Exchange was again in focus with traders alluding to speculation of interest from Deutsche Boerse.

The stock jumped 52.5p to 860.5p. On the downside, general industrial firm Smiths Group slid 17.5p to 862p and construction outfit Balfour Beatty fell 7p to 344p.

In The North Index, van rental company Northgate gained 1.5p to 28.75p, after reporting an improvement in usage and rental rates in the UK and Spain.

For the first four months of its fiscal year, usage rates climbed to 91% in the UK, from an average of 88% in the previous year.

Bus and train operator Arriva enjoyed a strong session bouncing 25.9p to 508.5p, whilst in the healthcare sector Immunodiagnostic Systems advanced 36p to 402.5p. Following on from Tuesday's positive update, support services stock Hargreaves Services rose 43p to 686p. Care home operator Southern Cross closed down 1.5p at 132.75p.

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