* FTSE 100 up 0.2 pct, hits new record
* Financials, miners boost index
* M&S falls after plans to close stores
(Adds closing prices, quotes)
By Kit Rees and Julien Ponthus
LONDON, May 22 (Reuters) - The UK's top share index ventured further into new unchartered highs on Tuesday as shares in financials and miners rose further, triggering anticipations it could soon reach the 8,000 points benchmark.
The blue chip FTSE 100 .FTSE index closed up 0.2 percent and hit a fresh record of 7,903.50 points during the session before reducing its gains to 7877.45 points.
"At the rate it's going, we should hit this round number (8,000 points) by Thursday, if not earlier," said IG's market analyst Chris Beauchamp during morning trading.
He pointed out that this performance comes despite "political ennui, Brexit turmoil and a deteriorating consumer backdrop".
The sharp fall in the pound since the middle of April has given an accounting boost to blue-chip companies which generate some of their revenues in foreign currencies and makes their shares cheaper for foreign investors.
Sentiment towards risk assets also improved since the United States and China agreed to continue talks to boost U.S. exports to China, easing worries over a possible global trade war. FTSE benefits from a smooth ... trade outlook between the United States and China," Ken Odeluga, market analyst at City Index, said.
Rises between 1.2 percent and 1.3 percent in HSBC HSBA.L , Lloyds LLOY.L and Barclays BARC.L shares helped boost the index as did gains in miners including Fresnillo FRES.L ,
Glencore GLEN.L or BHP Billiton BLT.L .
Shares in British retailer Marks & Spencer MKS.L were the worst performing of the index and lost 2.8 percent after it disclosed plans to close more than 100 stores in its home market by 2022. smaller companies, results weighed on Pets at Home PETSP.L , which fell more than 13 percent as lower margins weighed on full-year profit. The company has been trying to cut prices to fend off German rival Zooplus. ZO1G.DE bicycles to car parts retailer Halfords HFD.L fell 11.7 percent to the lowest since the beginning of April after it warned profits were unlikely to grow this year. ISA.L dropped 7 percent on the back of concerns that its monopoly in maritime safety communications could come under threat from rival Iridium Communications . IRDM.O winners, sandwich maker Greencore GNC.L surged 5.1 percent following some well-received half-year earnings.