Bradford-based supermarket giant Morrisons joined an elite club of Britain's leading companies today

The firm, founded in 1899 by William Morrison, received confirmation that it was to become part of the FTSE-100.

The 100 top companies in the FTSE-100 are seen as a barometer of the whole of the stock exchange and only the most effective companies are selected to join the elite.

The move comes after five years of rapid growth which has seen the company notch up a market value of £3.2 billion.

Speculation about the FTSE move by traders last week saw Morrison's shares shoot up from 12p to 210p.

In early trading today they were up a further 4.5p to 214.5p.

Other successful firms, including medical equipment group Smith & Nephew, had also hoped to be 'promoted' after enjoying similarly dramatic share rises.