UK films triumph in festive chart

The first Harry Potter film was shown on Christmas Day

Three of the top four most watched films on the five main TV channels over Christmas were recent British films, according to the UK Film Council.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Bend it like Beckham and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider pulled in a total of 22.6 million viewers.

All of the ten most watched films over Christmas were shown on BBC One.

But only 10 of the 176 films shown on BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five were recent UK films.

TOP TEN MOST WATCHED FILMS Shrek - 9.5m Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone - 8.38m Bend It Like Beckham - 7.32m Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - 6.95m A I: Artificial Intelligence - 5.43m 102 Dalmatians - 5.12m The Italian Job - 5.12m Matilda - 5.10m The Princess Diaries - 4.24m Antz - 4.09m Source: UK Film Council

Recent British films are classed as being less than eight years old.

The Christmas period - which ran between 24 December and 3 January - was topped by the animated film Shrek, which was shown on Christmas Eve.

Other big budget Hollywood productions, AI: Artificial Intelligence and the animated hit Antz, were beaten in the ratings by the British trio.

The UK Film Council said the figures backed-up a poll undertaken last year, which suggested widespread public agreement for supporting new British films on TV.

'Vibrant industry'

UK Film Council chief executive John Woodward, said: "As well as being a major ratings success for the BBC, the 2004/5 festive film figures back up opinion poll figures showing that viewers want to see more recent British films on television.

"At the moment they make up only a tiny percentage of all films on the five main channels.

"The consistent popularity of British films such as Billy Elliot and Bend It Like Beckham underlines the overwhelming case for the BBC to build on its recent improvement in the number of contemporary British films being shown, and to increase its historically low level of investment in UK film production.

"If we want a vibrant film industry in the future, increased support from broadcasters is essential."