* FTSE 100 up 1.1 percent
* SABMiller, Burberry results provide lift
* Miners, banks stronger
By Simon Falush
LONDON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Banks and commodity stocks drove gains on Britain's top share index early on Tuesday, with miners supported by robust metal prices, while fashion group Burberry shone as third-quarter revenue growth beat forecasts.
By 0901 GMT Britain's FTSE 100 was 67.40 points or 1.1 percent higher at 6,053.10 after it closed 0.3 percent lower on Monday.
Strong company results buoyed sentiment, with SABMiller, as well as Burberry, helping to convince investors that corporates will thrive even as the broader economy struggles with high unemployment and lower government spending.
Burberry topped the leaderboard, rising 4 percent after it beat forecasts with a 27 percent rise in third-quarter revenue, while SABMiller shares rose 2.5 percent after the brewer posted a 3 percent rise in quarterly volumes.
"Corporate results were great last year, and while margins are not growing as fast, they are still expanding and revenues are picking up, and that's very appealing," John Haynes, head of research at Rensburg Sheppards said.
Miners provided much of the support for the index as metals prices rose on a weaker dollar.
Rio Tinto rose 2.2 percent after it said it produced record quantities of iron ore last year as it raced to meet surging Chinese demand and cash in on soaring prices.
Banks were also stronger, as the risk sensitive sector gained on improved confidence.
However drug major GlaxoSmithKline lost 1.2 percent, adding to weakness the previous session on news that it will record a legal charge of 2.2 billion pounds for the fourth quarter as it settles further claims related to Avandia and sales practices.
Essar Energy was the top faller, down 4.2 percent after its shares were diluted by a $500 million convertible bond offering.
ECONOMY WATCH
On the economic front, house prices in England and Wales fell in December, but fewer new houses coming on to the market helped the pace of decline to moderate for a second consecutive month, a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors survey indicated on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, British consumer confidence rose in December for the first time since August, although worries about jobs and the economic outlook still left it well below its long-term average, a Nationwide survey said.
The main economic focus, however, will be on British inflation numbers for December, due at 0930 GMT.
A surge in the cost of oil and food likely kept inflation at November's six-month high of 3.3 percent, and many economists see a further jump to 4 percent over coming months on the back of a rise in sales tax.
"With the credibility of the BoE coming under increased criticism, the need for action is growing," said Jonathan Sudaria, dealer at London Capital Group.
"While traders have been sellers of short sterling interest rate futures for a while, they have been getting more aggressive, especially at the shorter end of the curve, indicating the BoE will have to move sooner than expected to maintain a grip on inflation."
U.S. earnings will also be in focus, with lender Citigroup and tech giant Apple both due to report numbers on Tuesday. (Editing by Louise Heavens)