Shares in British banks were broadly up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading ahead of the results of "stress tests" on Irish banks.

A report from the Irish Independent claimed that the tests will reveal a 20-30 billion euro hole in the bank capital of Irish banks, leading to significant restructuring to the country's financial sector.

Earlier this week Irish Life & Permanent requested a temporary suspension of trading in its shares ahead of the test results, due tomorrow.

By 09:50 shares in Lloyds Banking Group were up 1.04 per cent to 59.16 pence per share, RBS shares rose 0.9 per cent to 41.47 pence per share and Barclays shares increased 0.4 per cent to 284.90 pence per share.

However HSBC shares declined 0.7 per cent to 651.40 pence per share.

Overall the FTSE 100 was up 0.1 per cent to 5,954.18.

Barclays HSBC FTSE