The FTSE 100 Index has ended a turbulent week down 94 points to a five-year low of at 3781.

A weak opening on Wall Street put paid to hopes of a positive session in London, but the decline came despite a positive session for mining stocks and a number of the beleaguered banks.

The FTSE started the week at 4233, but heavy losses in four out of five sessions caused alarm in the City. Analysts are braced for further falls next week.

Pharmaceutical stocks took their turn at the top of the fallers board, led by AstraZeneca after a drop of 9 per cent or 214p at 2245p. GlaxoSmithKline was down 80p at 1072p, while Shire fell 58.5p to 838p, a drop of 7 per cent.

Market heavyweight Vodafone also put the market under pressure after shares dropped 9.4p to 112.5p.

One of the few positives came from the mining sector after a pause in the recent fall in metal prices helped a number of stocks reverse recent heavy losses.

Among risers in the volatile sector, Antofagasta cheered 10 per cent or 35.75p to 354.75p and Anglo American added 78p to 1132p.

Banks spent a rare session away from the top of the fallers board after investors speculated that Barclays will gain enough support for its $7 billion fundraising plan at a special meeting of shareholders on Monday.

Barclays added 4 per cent or 5.5p to 133.2p after the heavyweight stock slumped to its lowest level since 1994 earlier in the week. Royal Bank of Scotland, which received backing for its bail-out scheme yesterday, was up 1.4p at 47.4p.

Winners: Vedanta Resources up 62.25p at 450p, Antofagasta ahead 35.75p at 354.75p, Anglo American up 78p at 1132p and BHP Billiton ahead 45p at 797.5p.

Losers: AstraZeneca down 214p at 2245p, Hammerson off 45p at 480p, Old Mutual down 3.9p at 45p and Vodafone off 9.4p at 112.5p.

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