The FTSE 100 shed 0.2%, and the FTSE 250 was roughly flat by 0709 GMT.

An index of miners slipped for the third straight day as China's iron ore futures dropped sharply after surging to record highs early this week, while copper prices eased due to higher London Metal Exchange inventories.

Investors stayed cautious in anticipation of U.S. non-farm payrolls data, which would provide clear indications on whether or not the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates.

Aviation servicing company John Menzies plummeted 17% to a more than 3-year low after it warned of lower annual profit, mainly due to weak cargo volumes and flight schedule reductions.