Cinema admissions in January hit 16.3m - and average of 3.67m a week - the greatest January total since 1971.

These figures are 8 per cent up year on year and the Cinema Advertising Associations (CAA) expects full year admissions for 2003 will reach 182m - a 4 per cent increase year on year.

Debbie Chalet, president of the CAA, SAID: 'We are predicting 2003 will deliver 182m cinema admissions, which will be the highest figure since 1971. This is primarily due to the strength and breadth of films due for release this year.'

The top five films in January were Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, 8 Mile, Gangs of New York, Chicago and Star Trek X: Nemesis.