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The boost has been attributed to stronger commodity prices and positive comments from the head of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF).
According to the Wall Street Journal, chief executive of the organisation Klaus Regling does not see the "contagion" of the eurozone debt crisis spreading further.
He said: "Greece, Ireland and Portugal have been granted financial assistance ... although problems in the sovereign debt market persist in all three countries."
Mr Regling suggested the issue has been "contained" in these nations.
As well as gains for the FTSE 100, there was some modest upward movement in the CAC-40, but the DAX fell slightly.
Last week, the EU announced that the EFSF and European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism will provide up to €26 billion (£22.5 billion) in aid to Portugal and Ireland over the coming three years.
Posted by Greg Secker
