Calendar Girls was one of 2003's biggest British hits

Admissions at UK cinemas also reached their second highest level in 30 years, the UK Film Council said.

About �742m was taken at the UK box office from popular comedies such as Love Actually and Calendar Girls.

The box office tally marks an increase of 136% on the previous decade, with one in four people now attending the cinema once every month.

The top 10 British films took more than one billion dollars at the US box office in 2003, despite no Harry Potter or James Bond films being released last year.

Thriving

Indeed, in spite of suggestions that film funding in the UK would dry up when the government closed a tax loophole earlier this year, the film industry appears to be thriving.

Hugh Grant starred in 2003 comedy Love Actually

Figures reveal the film and video industries now employ a record 57,000 people - an increase of 77% in the past decade.

"The UK continues to be recognised by international film-makers as one of the best places in the world to make a film, thanks to our expertise and film-friendly environment," said John Woodward, chief executive of the UK Film Council.

The UK Film Council is the government-backed body charged with stimulating and promoting the British film industry.