Treasure film glows atop UK chart

Cage stars as a history expert trying to solve an ancient puzzle

National Treasure: Book of Secrets topped the UK and Ireland film box office on its debut weekend, displacing monster film Cloverfield.

The action sequel, in which Nicolas Cage reprises his role as a treasure hunter, took £2.5m in ticket sales.

It beat Juno - also on its opening weekend - into second place. The teenage pregnancy comedy took £2m.

Other new films in the chart included Loch Ness monster movie The Water Horse and romantic comedy Definitely, Maybe.

UK AND IRELAND BOX OFFICE 1. National Treasure: Book of Secrets - £2.48m 2. Juno - £2m 3. Cloverfield - £1.65m 4. Sweeney Todd - £766,000 5. The Water Horse - £760,000 Source: Screen International

The Water Horse was at number five, taking £760,000, one place ahead of Definitely, Maybe with £697,000.

Oscar-nominated There Will Be Blood was a new entry at number 11 on its opening weekend, taking £212,000.

But the film, which earned leading man Daniel Day-Lewis a best actor Bafta at the weekend, was showing at only 24 cinemas.

Last week's box office leader Cloverfield fell to third place with takings of £1.7m, bringing its overall tally to £6.7m.