Harry Potter has been a big boost to UK film

Blockbusters such as the historic epic Troy starring Brad Pitt also steered the industry towards a record �1.17bn spend, said the UK Film Council.

Movies made entirely in the UK were up by a fifth, while investment from overseas film-makers increased by 85%.

The overall number of films made, including co-productions, rose to 177.

UK FILM SPENDING 2003 Total spending more than doubled from �550.45m to �1.17bn Domestic productions up by 21% t0 45 Spending on domestic films up by 77% to �277.73m Sustaining the UK film boom

Other movies behind the record figures include the Bridget Jones follow-up film The Edge Of Reason, children's animation The Magic Roundabout Movie and sci-fi love story Code 46.

The study covers entirely home-made UK films, as well as films originating overseas but filmed mainly in Britain.

It also considers a category of "co-productions", which are filmed both in the UK and abroad using UK crew and expertise.

Home-made British films included the Bollywood-inspired musical Bride and Prejudice; and documentary-style drama The Football Factory.

On course

Films receiving National Lottery funding from the UK Film Council included the E Nesbitt classic Five Children and It starring Kenneth Branagh and period romp Ladies in Lavender with Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith.

The number of overseas film-makers locating their productions in the UK was up by 85% - appearing to show the UK was back on course as a location after a slowdown in the wake of 11 September.

This category included the Potter movie - due out in June - and a remake of the 1960s Michael Caine comedy Alfie starring Jude Law.

Among the co-productions was In My Father's Den with Spooks star Matthew McFadden, jointly made with New Zealand film-makers.

Steve Norris, head of the film council's international department, said the figures illustrated the "wealth of talent" in the UK film business.

"The UK continues to be recognised by international filmmakers as one of the best places in the world to make a film," he said.

"The high numbers of co-productions highlight the truly global nature of the film industry and the key, and increasing, role that the UK plays within it."