UK's exporter-heavy FTSE 100 index opened lower on Monday weighed down by miners and oil firms shares, as worries mounted over China's economic recovery and its debt-laden property market.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 was down 0.3%, while the more domestically-focussed FTSE 250 dipped 0.1%.

Energy stocks fell 1.1% as crude prices eased over concerns about China's faltering economic recovery and a stronger dollar.

Industrial metal miners slipped 1.2% tracking lower base metal prices.

China's new bank loans tumbled in July and other key credit gauges also weakened, underscoring its faltering economic recovery.

Geopolitical tensions added to worries after a Russian warship on Sunday fired warning shots at a cargo ship in the southwestern Black Sea.

Shares of Plus500 gained 3.2% after the British online trading platform reported higher first-half earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, and announced a new share buyback programme. (Reporting by Siddarth S in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)