FTSE up as Lonmin leads miners; ITV, Old Mutual dip

* FTSE ends up 0.6 pct

* Xstrata bid helps Lonmin soar

* ITV and Old Mutual slump after earnings

By Michael Taylor

LONDON, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Britain's benchmark share index ended higher on Wednesday as merger and acquisition activity boosted miners, while earnings weighed on both Old Mutual (OML.L) and ITV (ITV.L).

The FTSE 100 .FTSE gained 31.6 points, or 0.6 percent at 5,486.1, and is now down over 15 percent for the year to date.

Topping the bluechip leader board, Lonmin (LMI.L), the world's third-biggest platinum producer surged 47.7 percent after rival Xstrata (XTA.L) unveiled a $10 billion takeover bid.

South Africa-focused Lonmin rejected the bid. [ID:nL6171695]  Continued...