FTSE 100 down 0.24% at opening (AFP)

LONDON (AFP) – London's leading stock exchange was down slightly at the start of trading on Wednesday after a downbeat session in Asia.

The FTSE 100 index of top shares was down 0.24 percent to 5,789.40 points.

The insurance sector was in focus after Aviva announced that John McFarlane, a non-executive director of bailed-out lender Royal Bank of Scotland, will become its new chairman next year.

Aviva shares fell by 4.50 pence -- or just over 1 percent -- to 427.70 on news of the appointment.

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