Robust China export data gives Britain's FTSE a filip

(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 1.3 pct

* Miners and Asian-exposed banks lead shares higher

* Tesco (Xetra: 852647 - news) drops on cautious outlook

* Premier Foods (LSE: PFD.L - news) slumps after McCormick walk away from bid

By Alistair Smout

LONDON, April 13 (Reuters) - Britain's top share index rose on Wednesday, boosted by mining and banks stocks that rose on strong China export data that helped to subdue concerns over the growth outlook for the world's second-largest economy.

China's exports in March returned to growth for the first time in nine months, adding to signs of economic stabilisation in the world's largest consumer of many commodities, including metals such as copper.

That lifted metals prices and mining stocks, with the sector up 4.8 percent. Oil and gas shares also rallied, with Brent crude remaining over $44 even as it fell from recent highs.

"Commodities remain very much in focus - we've seen base metals soaring in the last few hours helped by upbeat Chinese import data," said Tony Cross, market analyst at Trustnet Direct.

BHP Billiton (NYSE: BBL - news) rose 6.2 percent, also helped by plans to cut jobs at a copper mine in Chile.

Asia-exposed banks Standard Chartered (HKSE: 2888.HK - news) and HSBC rose 5.6 percent and 4.1 percent respectively.

Britain's FTSE 100 rose 80.39 points, or 1.3 percent, to 6,322.78 by 0807 GMT, with financial firms, miners and energy stocks combining to add over 60 points to the index's rise.

Among fallers, Tesco fell 3.7 percent after its full-year results.

Although Britain's biggest retailer reported its first quarterly sales growth for three years and slightly beat expectations, it was cautious on its near-term outlook and said a price war in the sector would put pressure on profits.

"Its outlook disappointed investors as the growing spectre posed by discounters Aldi and Lidl remains," said Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.

Outside of the blue chips, Premier Foods dropped nearly 30 percent after U.S (Other OTC: UBGXF - news) . spice maker McCormick walked away from its takeover proposal for the British food firm.

Despite the slump, Premier Foods remains up by 33 percent since March 23, when McCormick had an initial bid rejected.

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.

If you have any thoughts, suggestions or feedback on this, please email mike.dolan@thomsonreuters.com.

Mike Dolan, Markets Editor EMEA. (Reporting by Alistair Smout; editing by Susan Thomas)