Shares in British banks were up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading ahead of a meeting on eurozone finance ministers next week.

They will be meeting in the hope of agreeing a deal on Greece, which has reportedly been making noises that it could default on its debt unless it receives an additional bailout.

By 09:25 shares in Lloyds Banking Group were up 1.16 per cent to 55.64 pence per share, RBS shares increased 1.00 pence per share to 43.34 pence per share, Barclays shares rose 1.60 per cent to 282.55 pence per share and HSBC shares climbed 1.34 per cent to 656.70 pence per share.

Overall the FTSE 100 was up 0.90 per cent to 5,998.48.

Barclays HSBC FTSE