RPT-Growth worries take Europe shares down 1.4 pct

LONDON, March 6 (Reuters) - European shares fell 1.4 percent on Thursday as weak U.S. data worried investors and a hawkish tone from the European Central Bank fanned concerns that the bank will not cut rates any time soon. The FTSEurofirst 300 index closed unofficially down 1.4 percent at 1,282.77 in a volatile session mirroring losses across the Atlantic, where U.S. stocks struggled with news of a default at a home lender.

Banks were the biggest drag on the index. HSBC (HSBA.L: Quote, Profile, Research), ING (ING.AS: Quote, Profile, Research), BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) and Barclays (BARC.L: Quote, Profile, Research) fell between 2.7 and 4.7 percent, finding little respite from ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet's comments that he would do what was needed on prices in the medium-term.

The Mortgage Bankers Association said U.S. home foreclosures and the rate of homes entering the foreclosure process rose to record highs in the fourth quarter -- more signs that the U.S. housing sector is struggling.

Also weighing on the financial sector, Thornburg Mortgage Inc (TMA.N: Quote, Profile, Research), a "jumbo" U.S. mortgage lender, said it had received a letter from JPMorgan Chase notifying it of a default after it failed to meet a margin call of about $28 million.

European retailers and utilities were boosted by strong updates at Carrefour (CARR.PA: Quote, Profile, Research), Ahold (AHLN.AS: Quote, Profile, Research) and E.ON EONG.DE.

E.ON, the world's largest utility, raised 2007 earnings slight more than the market had expected, benefiting from higher power prices in central and northern Europe and soaring gas prices.

Carrefour rose 4 percent, Ahold gained 3 percent and E.ON advanced by 1.3 percent. (Reporting by Ana Nicolaci da Costa)