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March 25 (Reuters) - The UK's FTSE 100 extended its

rebound on Wednesday as investors took comfort from reports

about U.S. efforts to bring the Iran war to a close, while also

assessing Britain's latest inflation data.

Washington sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war in the

Middle East, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.

The U.S. was seeking a month-long ceasefire to discuss the

15-point plan, Israel's Channel 12 reported, quoting three

sources.

These developments helped the blue-chip FTSE 100 index

rise 1.1% at 1028 GMT and the midcap FTSE 250

rise 1.3%.

* British consumer price inflation held at 3.0% in February,

unchanged from January's rate, official figures showed on

Wednesday, ahead of a likely upward lurch as war in the Middle

East pushes up prices.

* Markets have priced in two or three quarter-point hikes

this year, with the Bank of England sharply increasing its

inflation forecast, predicting it would rise towards 3.5% by the

middle of the year.

* The energy sub-index fell 0.2% after oil

prices fell on prospects of a ceasefire in the Middle East war.

Oil major Shell fell 0.6%.

* Miners rose 3.4% as gold prices gained

after a drop in oil prices eased inflation and rate concerns,

while banks climbed 2.1%, with both sectors

delivering the biggest boost on the day.

* EnQuest ( ENQUF ) fell 6.4% after the North Sea-focussed oil

producer maintained its 2026 production outlook, banking on

investments in Britain and Southeast Asia, after Britain's

windfall levies hit last year's post-tax profit.

* ASOS rose 15% after the online retailer reported

a 50% jump in first-half profit, helped by cost cuts, app

improvements and a sharper fashion offering.