* Miners, energy stocks gain as weaker dollar lifts commods

* Banks rise as risk appetite returns

By Jon Hopkins

LONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Britain's top share index was up 1.7 percent at midday on Monday, fuelled by strength in miners and energy stocks thanks to firmer commodity prices, while improved risk appetite also boosted banks.

At 1209 GMT, the FTSE 100 index .FTSE was 90.46 points higher at 5,341.87, having closed 0.3 percent lower on Friday and fallen in the previous three sessions.

The UK blue chip index is up 20.5 percent this year, and has soared more than 50 percent since touching a six year trough in March.

Miners bolstered the recovery as the price of gold powered to a record above $1,160 an ounce on Monday, lifted by a retreating dollar, which also promoted a sharp rise in copper prices.

"With no end in sight for the dollar's slump, gold's success looks set to continue pushing the FTSE towards the psychological 5,500 barrier," said Philip Gillett, sales trader at IG Index.