Spider-Man 3 has broken box office records around the world

UK film fans spent �396.8m on tickets, a rise of 6% on the same period in 2006, according to new figures from the Film Distributors' Association (FDA).

Other popular films boosting attendance included Shrek The Third.

The UK Film Council recently reported a 5% dip in admissions during 2006 as a whole, but expects a reversal in 2007.

Box office draws

It said new releases such as the latest Harry Potter outing would buck the downward trend, with admissions of 160m forecast.

Some 76.9m visits have been made to UK cinemas in the first half of 2007, with homegrown hits including Hot Fuzz and Mr Bean's Holiday proving popular box office draws.

A total of 246 films have been released in UK cinemas so far this year, with Pirates of The Caribbean: At World's End proving the most popular in the first six months of 2007.

A record number of releases with digital subtitles and audio description discs were made during the period.

Film advertising has also grown by 4% on the same period in 2006, with UK distributors releasing a compilation trailer about forthcoming releases to bolster attendances over the summer.

The FDA's chief executive, Mark Batey, said that "overall prospects for the year look very encouraging".