The Full Monty, a film about male strippers set in the north of England, has become the most popular British film among its home audience - selling more tickets in UK cinemas than any other British film.

The story of a group of unemployed men in Sheffield, who become strippers to earn money, has taken nearly £39.2m at the UK box office.

The Full Monty has now overtaken Four Weddings And A Funeral, which held the previous British box office record of £27.8m and shot actor Hugh Grant to world stardom.

It has surpassed Hollywood blockbusters such as Men In Black and the Jurassic Park sequel, The Lost World, as the highest grossing film of the year, according to the Cinema Advertising Association.

The Full Monty's success comes despite having relatively unknown actors. The biggest name in the cast is Robert Carlyle, who was in Trainspotting.

However the Full Monty still has a long way to go to beat Four Weddings' international takings of well over £100m.
 

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