LONDON (AFP) - The FTSE 100 index of leading shares plunged by almost nine percent on Friday after fresh falls on Wall Street, as investors continued to fret over the worldwide financial crisis.

London stocks shed 8.85 percent in volatile trading to finish at 3932.

Vodafone was the most traded stock, seeing 508 million units change hands, followed by the Royal Bank of Scotland which saw 292 million shares switch owners.

All the players were in the red with Thomson Reuters comparatively less affected falling by 1 pence -- or .09 percent -- to finish at 1101, followed by Admiral Group, detracting 19.50 pence -- or 2.17 percent -- to stand at 880.5

The worst performers were Schroders, declining 222.50 pence -- or 28.9 percent -- to finish at 547.5. The next casualty was the Royal Bank of Scotland, down 24.30 pence -- or 25.3 percent -- to end at 71.7.

The pound fell similarly fell to a five-year low against the dollar as the American currency benefitted from traders seeking a safe haven amid volatile markets

The sterling ascended against the euro by 15:58 BST to 1.2611 euro from 1.2568 by the close on Thursday. While it declined to 1.7063 dollars from 1.7093 from yesterday.

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