FTSE nears record high as Shire shines

By Sudip Kar-Gupta LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's top equity index advanced on Friday, nearing record highs, as real-estate stocks extended gains from a rebound in property prices and drugmaker Shire got a lift from a positive product review. The FTSE 100 rose 0.5 percent to 7,051.07 points, close to a record 7,065.08 points reached in March. Even though uncertainty before next month's British election has weakened sterling , the benchmark UK stock market has continued to push higher. ..