The film has broken box office records in the US

The final instalment of Peter Jackson's Tolkien adaptation has grossed just over �15m since opening on Wednesday.

The film made the bulk of its profit during the weekend period between 19 and 21 December, making �9.47m.

British film Love Actually slipped from the top spot to third but has grossed �12.2m since it opened in November.

Changing places

Festive feelgood film Elf, starring Will Ferrell, held on to second place in the run-up to Christmas week.

Newcomer Freaky Friday, featuring Jamie Lee Curtis as a mother who swaps bodies with her teenage daughter, entered the chart at number four.

The comedy is a remake of the original 1976 film which starred Jodie Foster.

The Fighting Temptations, with Cuba Gooding Junior and R&B singer Beyonce Knowles, slipped three places in its second week of release to number 11.

The top 15 films on the UK chart grossed a combined total of �15.4m last weekend.