Record year for movies

The third Harry Potter tale and the Bridget Jones sequel headed a list of big budget films made in Britain or backed by British money in 2003.

A total of £1.2billion was spent on making 177 films, up from 119 in the previous 12 months.

The biggest area of growth was in films shot here but backed by foreign investors - up by 85 per cent from £221million to to £410million.

The heartening figures, which defy gloomy predictions for the industry, came from the UK Film Council, which has analysed productions with budgets of more than £500,000.

Last year, there were 45 British feature films, 30 films made in Britain with foreign cash and 102 coproductions shot here and abroad.

Seventeen films, including Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban and Jude Law's remake of Alfie, were funded entirely with foreign money but made here. Another 13 films - worth £320million and including Troy, starring Brad Pitt, and Alexander - were shot here but backed by foreign and British money.

Other notable movies were Bollywood-style musical Bride And Prejudice, from the maker of Bend It Like Beckham, and period romp Ladies In Lavender with Dame Judi Dench.

British Film Commissioner Steve Norris said: 'The UK continues to be recognised by international filmmakers as one of the best places in the world to make a film.'

Films Minister Estelle Morris added: 'The international film industry has harnessed UK talent to make some of the box-office hits of 2004.

'This is a tribute to the wealth of expertise we have to offer both behind and in front of the camera.'