HARRY POTTER - UK BOX OFFICE BREAKS RECORDS

UK BOX OFFICE BREAKS RECORDS

A wet summer helped the UK box office to enjoy a record-breaking 2007, according to latest figures.

Data from Nielsen EDI shows that box office takings totalled £904 million last year; up eight per cent from 2006.

Magical fantasy film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix generated the most in ticket sales, taking just under £50 million.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and Shrek the Third took second and third place.

Other sequels in the top ten were Spider-Man 3 and The Bourne Ultimatum.

"The wet summer weather helped to boost ticket sales, along with the absence of major sporting events competing for the audience's attention, such as the football World Cup or Olympic Games," said Nick King of Nielsen Entertainment.

"Despite the ongoing threat of piracy and the increasing popularity of DVD and home cinema systems, 2007 has proved once again that audiences still love a night out at the pictures."

2008 could be another record year, with films in the pipeline including Bond 22, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.