LONDON (AFP) - The FTSE 100 index of shares closed down steeply Wednesday as weak economic data reignited fears of a world recession and dampened the mood of optimism which had prevailed earlier in the week.

London fell 7.16 percent to close at 4079.59.

Vodafone was the most traded stock, seeing 203 million units change hands, followed by BP which saw 114 million shares switch owners.

Thomas Cook led the board, up by 2.2 pence -- or 1.18 percent -- to finish at 189.2. HBOS was the next best performer, ascending 0.4 pence -- or 0.47 percent -- to stand at 85.7.

Among the casualties were miners Eurasian, falling 130 pence -- or 25.2 percent -- to finish at 386.5. and Kazakhmy's, shedding 96.5 pence -- or 22.3 percent -- to end at 336.75.

The pound was up against its major rivals by 15:58 BST. Sterling rose to 1.7491 US dollars from 1.7412 at Tuesday close. The pound was also up sharply against the euro, moving from 1.2783 to 1.2873.

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