The first movie starred Georgie Henley and James McAvoy

The British-born director, whose credits include Gorillas In The Mist and Amazing Grace, will begin filming The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in 2008.

Starring James McAvoy and Tilda Swinton the first instalment of the Narnia series took $744m (�373m) worldwide.

Prince Caspian is the second film to be made from CS Lewis's novels, and is due out next year.

'Versatile and talented'

Relative unknown Ben Barnes takes the title role, and will return for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Georgie Henley (Lucy) and Skandar Keynes (Edmund) from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe will also feature.

Apted directed the opening episodes of drama series Rome

"Michael Apted is one of the most versatile and talented film-makers working today," said Oren Aviv, president of production for Walt Disney Pictures.

"We think movie-goers are going to be thrilled with this all-new instalment."

Andrew Adamson, who directed the first two films in the series, will continue his involvement with Narnia by serving as a producer on the project.

Apted, 66, began his career at Granada television, on programmes including Coronation Street and World In Action.

Oscar nominee

He made his name with 1964's 7 Up documentary, which profiled 14 seven-year-old children, and has revisited its subjects every seven years since.

In 1980, he received seven Oscar nominations for his biopic of country music legend Loretta Lynn, The Coal Miner's Daughter.

Although it only picked up one statue - best actress for Sissy Spacek - Apted went on to have a distinguished film career, with Gorky Park, Enigma and Bond film The World Is Not Enough, amongst his directing credits.