Continental European stocks were the big winners from yesterday’s bumper QE programme from the European Central Bank (ECB).

Stock markets across Europe rallied on news of the €60bn a month stimulus programme - which went further than most commentators had forecast.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European stocks closed 1.6% higher and property shares were among some of the biggest risers.

Shares in continental giants Unibail and Prologis both closed 2.5% up.

UK stocks also reacted positively, with the FTSE 100 hitting a four-month high and the FTSE REIT index climbing 0.74%.