MARTIN LAWRENCE - BIG MOMMA WRESTLES NANNY MCPHEE TO THE TOP OF THE US BOX OFFICE

Comedian MARTIN LAWRENCE's chubby alter-ego, BIG MOMMA, beat EMMA THOMPSON's ugly NANNY McPHEE in a battle of the family films at the US box office this weekend.

Lawrence's BIG MOMMA'S HOUSE sequel stormed to the number one spot with a surprise $28 million (GBP15.5 million) opening weekend take.

Nanny McPhee came in second with a $14.1 million (GBP7.8 million) debut.

Thompson's new movie opened in Britain last autumn (05), taking more than $29 million (GBP16.1 million).

Last weekend's (22JAN06) number one, UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION, fell to number three, while military drama ANNAPOLIS debuted at number four of the new chart.