HELEN MIRREN - TREASURE SEQUEL IS US NO 1

National Treasure: Book of Secrets has seen off strong competition to take the number one spot in the American box office.

The film, starring Nicholas Cage, took a total of $45.5 million (£22.9 million) in its first three days on release.

In the action sequel Cage reprises his role as treasure hunter Ben Gates to discover the truth behind the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

He is joined by an all-star cast including Helen Mirren, Jon Voight, Diane Kruger and Harvey Keitel.

Book of Secrets' success pushed last week's number one, I Am Legend, into the number two spot while children's tale Alvin and the Chipmunks also fell one place to third.

Other new entries in the US box office top ten include the Tom Hanks-starring Charlie Wilson's War, which debuted at number four.

Tim Burton's adaptation of the musical Sweeny Todd, starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, entered in fifth and Hilary Swank's latest flick PS I Love You debuted in sixth place.