Stock Market LIVE Updates: European shares slip ahead of ECB rate decision; Virgin Money posts record gain

European shares fell on Thursday as investors turned cautious ahead of the European Central Bank's interest rate decision, while Virgin Money soared after Britain's Nationwide Building Society agreed to potentially buy the lender.

The pan-European STOXX 600 was down 0.3% by 0815 GMT, with most sectors trading in the red except healthcare and insurance.

Automobiles and parts sub-index was the top loser, dropping 1.1%, on track for its biggest decline in seven weeks.