(Reuters) -Strong results from AstraZeneca helped London's blue-chip index notch a record close on Thursday, while a dovish majority behind the Bank of England's move to deliver a 25-basis-point interest rate cut fuelled bets of more to come.

The Bank of England cuts rates by 25 basis points to 4.5%, with two members unexpectedly backing a half-point cut; Governor Andrew Bailey says the BOE will take a “gradual and c

London's blue-chip index jumped to a record high on Thursday, lifted by shares of AstraZeneca after upbeat results and ahead of an anticipated rate cut from the Bank of England later in the day.AstraZeneca was one of the top gainers on the FTSE 100,