FirstGroup boost

SHARES in FirstGroup soared more than 4pc on news it has got the goahead to run Great Western railway for another four years.

The retention of the franchise is welcome news to shareholders after the train and bus group bid for five contracts without winning one last year. The route has received complaints about overcrowding and long delays but FirstGroup promised to make additional and more frequent services on the line that runs from London to Oxford, Bristol, South Wales, and Devon and Cornwall.

Shares rose 3.95p to 99p.