Ferrell comedy races up UK chart

The movie stars Will Ferrell as Nascar racing driver Ricky Bobby

Will Ferrell's motor racing comedy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, has taken pole position on the UK and Ireland box office chart.

The film took £1.03m in its opening weekend, with Helen Mirren's royal drama, The Queen, taking second place.

Brian De Palma's thriller The Black Dahlia, starring Scarlett Johansson, was another new entry at number three.

Talladega Nights, which co-stars British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, was US number one for two weeks in August.

It tells the story of Nascar racing driver Ricky Bobby and his fierce rivalry with a French competitor, played by Baron Cohen.

Last week's number one, You Me and Dupree, falls to fourth place.

Other new entries in this week's chart include Robin Williams' thriller The Night Listener at number seven, and video game adaptation DOA at number eight.

Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest remains the year's most successful release at the UK and Ireland box office, with overall takings of £51.5m.

It drops out of the top 10 for the first time this week, landing at number 14.