London share prices edge higher

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Traders in LondonImage source, Getty Images

London share prices rose slightly on Tuesday with the FTSE 100 index closing 11 points higher at 7,276.

The market paused after Monday's 2% rise in the wake of the French presidential election vote.

Whitbread, the hotel and coffee shop group, saw its shares drop 7% to £40.

Despite a 6% rise in "underlying" pre-tax profits, it was "cautious" about prospects for the next year and forecast a "tougher consumer environment".

The pound rose 0.4% against the dollar to $1.284, and was 0.4% lower at 1.173 euros.

Shares in Carpetright were hit after the retailer said its full-year profits would be at the lower end of forecasts.

Its shares ended 8% down at £2.25p.

The company said it had "experienced tougher trading conditions" in the UK over the past three months.

Like-for-like sales rose 1.4% in the quarter, but that was weaker than the 1.9% growth recorded in the previous three months.