TORONTO (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock index fell to its lowest level in nearly three weeks yesterday as worries about global growth dragged down commodity-linked shares.

Suncor Energy tumbled four percent to C$33.34 and fellow oil company Canadian Natural Resources dropped 3.9 percent to C$34.71, hurt by a slide in oil prices to around $78 a barrel.

The index's materials sector fell as copper prices tumbled to their lowest level in two weeks as investor confidence crumbled on renewed worries about growth prospects in the US. Teck Resources skidded four percent to C$34.61.

The TSX followed global markets lower as the US Federal Reserve's gloomier assessment of the economy on Tuesday rattled investor confidence, and its measures to support recovery in the US failed to satisfy.

The Fed's assessment was followed by a pessimistic outlook from the Bank of England yesterday as well as by data that showed softening domestic demand in China and growing trade deficits in Canada and the US.

"I think the scenario of slowing global growth is back again on the table," said Elvis Picardo, analyst and strategist at Global Securities in Vancouver.

"Adding to the concerns about slowing global growth was the Bank of England statement today where it took its growth forecast for the UK down a little bit. And data from China that shows the pace of expansion is slowing a little bit."

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index closed the session down 256.08 points, or 2.2 percent, at 11,582.21, with all of its 10 main groups in the red. Earlier, the index fell as low as 11,565.03, its weakest level since July 22.

Among economically sensitive financial shares, Royal Bank of Canada , the country's biggest lender, was down 2.4 percent at C$52.06. Toronto-Dominion Bank fell to C$71.72, also down 2.4 percent. Manulife Financial, which was among the most heavily traded stocks on the TSX, fell 4.3 percent to C$13.41.