Record box office figures and an increase in inward investment enabled the UK film industry to weather the recession during 2009, despite ongoing challenges facing production.

More than 173 million people visited the cinema last year - the highest level for admissions for seven years, while box office receipts exceeded the £1bn mark for the first time. Inward investment increased to £752.7m. Independent films made in the UK also secured the largest market share - 8.5 per cent - for a decade, while the number of independent films produced in the UK remained stable, despite a slight decline from 77 films to 71 in 2009.

Creative industries minister Sion Simon said: "Looking at today's figures it's hard to imagine that there was a time not so long ago that UK production was in the doldrums and cinema-going was under threat from new forms of home entertainment. We are now looking at superb production statistics and incredibly buoyant box office receipts, which come at a time when film is poised to make its next big leap into the world of 3D and digital screens, with all the possibilities that those developments bring."

John Woodward, UK Film Council chief executive officer, added: "The UK film industry is weathering the recession well. Taken together, these box office and inward investment numbers show how film in the UK has moved from the margins back to the mainstream, helping sustain jobs and promote the UK's place on the international stage. "British cinema-goers are voting with their feet - they want to see big event movies, many of which depend on outstanding British talent and are made in the UK thanks to our reliable film tax credit."