Sterling surged on Friday to a three-month high amid investor optimism about a last-minute Brexit deal between Britain and the European Union.
Against the dollar the pound rose 1.8% to $1.2667, and against the euro was up 1.35% at €1.1452.
The currency has rallied more than 3% since Thursday, its biggest two-day gain since before the June 2016 referendum on leaving the EU.
Many UK-focused shares also surged, with Royal Bank of Scotland up 14.4%.
On Friday, EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said he had had a “constructive” meeting with UK Brexit secretary, Stephen Barclay. That followed talks between the Irish and British prime ministers on Thursday, after which a joint statement spoke of “a pathway to a possible deal”.
