Shrek sequel storms UK box office

Cameron Diaz is the voice of Princess Fiona in Shrek the Third

The third Shrek movie, featuring the voices of Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz, has stormed the UK and Ireland box office on its opening weekend.

The animated sequel which took £16.67m, including previews, enjoyed the UK's biggest three-day opening so far this year, said Screen International.

It knocked Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer down to second place.

Ocean's Thirteen slipped from second to third, with Pirates of the Caribbean down one, at four, in its sixth week.

Shrek the Third also dominated the international box office, with current takings of $259m outside the US.

The third instalment of the fairytale comedy sees Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz once again lend their voices as Shrek and Princess Fiona, reluctant rulers of the land of Far Far Away.

UK AND IRELAND BOX OFFICE 1. Shrek the Third - £16.6m 2. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - £1.3m 3. Ocean's Thirteen (pictured) - £966,177 4. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End - £682,172 5. Hostel Part II - £681,426 Source: Screen International

Horror films dominated the latter part of the top 10 with sequel Hostel II making its UK debut at five.

Motel-based horror Vacancy, starring Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson, dropped three places to eight, just ahead of Captivity at nine.

Bollywood family drama Apne was the only other new entry into the top 10, at number seven.

La Vie en Rose, a biopic of the late French singer Edith Piaf, held fast at six and French thriller, Tell No One, rounded out the top 10.