By Michael Taylor LONDON, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Copper eased on Friday to drift away from three-week highs hit in the previous session, as concerns over demand and inventory levels hit sentiment. Copper for three month delivery MCU3 on the London Metal Exchange traded at $6,285 a tonne in rings from $6,330 at the close on Thursday and compared with a session low at $6,240. "We need to see a steady trickle of (stock) draw downs consistently coming out, which will give us an opportunity to say restocking and consumption levels have begun," said Alex Heath, head of base metals at RBC Capital Markets. "There was so much hype in the summer...consumers are reluctant to go in at these levels when they really don't see any signs of their order books filling up." Despite the improving macro picture, doubts over demand outside of China remain, with LME copper stocks falling 250 tonnes to 346,600 tonnes but remaining near five month highs. Base metals prices also shifted lower, as the dollar firmed following comments on monetary policy from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. [USD/] [ID:nN08545619] "Bernanke put the brakes on the market by supporting the dollar, Heath added. On Thursday, copper rose to three week highs at $6,363 a tonne, as improving U.S. data and strong earnings from U.S. aluminium producer Alcoa boosted prices. [ID:nN08516353] The company, which has curtailed metal production by more than 20 percent since the economic downturn began a year ago, also said there were signs that key markets are stabilizing. But analysts remained cautious. "While headline figures looked good, the figures were boosted by a major asset disposal and by strangely elevated aluminium prices," investment bank Fairfax said in a note. "When the dust settles, some smart investors may be seen riding for the hills and leaving the headline traders behind."

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