Britain's FTSE advances, shrugs off declines in commodities

(ADVISORY- Reuters plans to replace intra-day European and UK stock market reports with a Live Markets blog on Eikon - see cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets for site in development. See the bottom of the report for more details)

* FTSE 100 up 0.4 pct

* Rio Tinto (LSE: RIO.L - news) leads miners

* Travel stocks gain

* Mondi (LSE: MNDI.L - news) falls on paper probe

By Kit Rees

LONDON, April 4 (Reuters) - British shares edged higher on Monday as commodities-related stocks shrugged off declines in copper and oil prices, although Mondi fell on news of an anti-monopoly investigation.

Britain's blue-chip FTSE 100 index was up 0.4 percent at 6,170.55 points by 0855 GMT, in line with the broader European market.

Miner Rio Tinto led the gainers on the FTSE 100 index, up 2.4 percent, with analysts citing a supportive rise in the price of iron ore during the Asian session.

Miners Anglo American, Glencore (Xetra: A1JAGV - news) and BHP Billiton shrugged off a decline in copper prices and concerns over Chinese demand, although some investors were expecting the sector to remain volatile.

"Given the fact that we probably are expecting to see a stronger U.S (Other OTC: UBGXF - news) . dollar and weaker growth globally, then these basic metals will likely continue to be problematic and cut into profit margins," said Brenda Kelly, head analyst at London Capital Group.

Travel and leisure stocks also gained, with budget airline easyJet 0.8 percent higher after Irish-listed Ryanair Holdings posted a jump in March traffic figures.

IAG rose 1.8 percent and mid-cap Wizz Air (LSE: WIZZ.L - news) advanced 1.2 percent, with analysts citing a weaker oil price as supporting the sector.

Retailer Marks and Spencer was among the FTSE 100's top risers, up 1.4 percent after broker Peel Hunt upgraded its rating to "buy" from "hold" and raised its target price.

Paper and packaging company Mondi fell 2.5 percent after the Federal Antimonopoly service of the Russian Federation said it had initiated an investigation into Mondi Syktyvkar over the pricing of offset paper.

Mondi said it had not yet received any FAS notification.

Downgrades by investment bank Credit Suisse (LSE: 0QP5.L - news) weighed on car insurer Admiral Group (LSE: ADM.L - news) and Rolls-Royce Holdings, which fell 1.3 percent and 0.7 percent respectively.

The FTSE 100 index is down just over 1 percent so far in 2016.

ADVISORY- Reuters plans to replace intra-day European and UK stock market reports with a Live Markets blog on Eikon (see cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets for site in development). In a real-time, multimedia format from 0600 London time through the 1630 closing bell, it will include the best of our market reporting, Stocks Buzz service, Eikon graphics, Reuters pictures, eye-catching research and market zeitgeist. Breaking news and dramatic market moves will continue to be alerted to all clients and we will continue to provide a short opening story and comprehensive closing reports.

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Mike Dolan, Markets Editor EMEA. (Editing by Catherine Evans)