THIS week's devastating events in the US left the region's traders in a sombre mood while stock market movements paled into insignificance.

The Manchester Evening News/Brewin Dolphin Index of key north west shares reflected the troubled and uncertain nature of the market as a whole falling 5.55 per cent to 903.78, compared with a fall of 5.06 per cent on the FTSE 100 Index.

Brewin Dolphin's Julian Hardman said: ''In the context of the tragic and unprecedented events in the United States, Stock Market movements pale into insignificance.

''The already nervous financial markets have been left fragile and the subdued trading as been characterised by a flight to quality in bond markets and to defensive equities.

''There remains much to be resolved and no-one can be sure how markets will react to any further developments in the short term.''

Airtours' drop of 16.94 per cent to 203.5p was the most symptomatic fall following fears of a drop in bookings. But the biggest faller was Granada, down 20.83 per cent to 109.25p due to the continued advertising downturn.

JJB Sport, AMEC, GUS, N Brown, KSS, Volex and AEA all fell with the impact of recent events.

There was some more positive news for British Aerospace - the week's biggest riser - which saw shares soar 12.41 per cent from 310.25p to 348.75p on expectations of growth in the defence and aerospace industry.

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