Ladbrokes Coral Share News (LCL)

* FTSE 100 up 0.3 pct at close

* U.S. jobs report soothes rate hike jitters

* NMC Health hits record high(Recasts, adds quote and detail, updates prices at close)

By Danilo Masoni and Kit Rees

MILAN/LONDON, March 9 (Reuters) - UK shares ended Friday ata one-week high, joining in a broader equity rally followingsupportive U.S. jobs data which calmed investor nerves overtighter monetary policy.

The country's blue chip FTSE benchmark index endedthe session 0.3 percent higher at 7,224.51 points, whilemid-caps gained 0.6 percent as investors digested a number ofearnings updates.

U.S. job growth recorded its biggest increase in more than1-1/2 years in February, but a slowdown in wage gains pointed toonly a gradual increase in inflation this year, which dampenedthe possibility of the Federal Reserve increasing rates faster.

"Overall the February jobs report is the best of both worlds- strong job growth without accelerating wage inflation. It’snot too hot, not too cold, a Goldilocks report," Alec Young,managing director of global markets research at FTSE Russell,said.

While higher interest rates are a positive for banks, theycan make equities as an asset class broadly less attractive asbond yields rise.

Other supportive developments included U.S. President DonaldTrump's comments on possible exemptions from import tariffs onsteel and aluminium, and that he was prepared to meet NorthKorea's Kim Jong Un.

Among individual movers, the biggest FTSE gainer was NMCHealth, which briefly touched a record high following awell-received trading update.

The UAE healthcare provider reported a 38.2 percent rise inannual net profit on Wednesday and said acquisitions this yearcould top the $641 million it spent in 2017.

On the midcap index, Renewi fell 4.3 percent afterthe waste-to-product company said it would take an impairmentcharge following the review of contracts in its UK municipaldivision.

Inmarsat dropped 6.7 percent after a quarterlyupdate which was in line with expectations. Morgan Stanleyanalysts said comments around its government business werecautious, indicating that consensus expectations for 2019revenue growth of 5 percent were too high.

GVC Holdings rose 5 percent after the onlinegambling firm saw full-year net gaming revenue rise 17 percentin 2017, helped by gains from the bwin.party businesses itbought three years ago. GVC is set to take over Britain'slargest bookmaker Ladbrokes Coral.(Reporting by Danilo Masoni and Kit ReesEditing by Keith Weir)