Potter beats Shrek at UK box office

Animated sequel Shrek the Third was forced into second place in this week's UK box office chart, after being overtaken by Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix.

The fifth Potter movie in the series - which once again stars Daniel Radcliffe as the teenage wizard - took over £16 million during its debut week of release and saw off the competition from other summer blockbusters.

ACNielsen's data placed Die Hard 4.0 at number three, while chart regulars Ocean's Thirteen, Hostel: Part II, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End filled up positions four to seven.

Meanwhile, the top ten saw two new entries round off this week's cinema favourites; French comedy Moliere debuted at number eight and Indian thriller Naqaab: Disguised Intentions occupied the ninth spot.

New releases scheduled for this Friday include John Travolta's musical extravaganza Hairspray, in which he plays an overprotective mother named Edna Turnblad.

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