By TRAVELMAIL REPORTER

Shock fall: Skiers help the eight passengers who were hurt when the lift collapsed


A ski lift in Maine had been declared unsafe by maintenance workers just minutes before it collapsed injuring eight people, it has emerged.

Terrified skiers - including three children - plunged 25 feet to the ground at the Sugarloaf Mountain resort, after a cable on their chair lift came loose from its track.

Five chairs were sent hurtling into the slopes below and the eight passengers were sent to hospital while 150 others were left stranded on the lift for up to two hours.

While wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour are thought to have contributed to the accident, it has also been revealed that maintenance workers closed the lift earlier in the day due to safety fears.

The Spillway East chairlift was stopped in the morning as a cable was seen leaning outside its track, a fairly common problem according to experts.

However, the lift was later reopened to deal with the busy pistes in one of the most popular ski weeks of the year.

Workers were sent to examine the cable more closely at about 10.30am and saw that it urgently needed to be realigned.

They called the operators and told them to slow the lift down and not let anyone else board, so it could be closed once again.

However, their call came too late and within minutes the the cable slipped off its support tower, sending the five chairs crashing to the ground.


Fears: Workers were trying to close the lift just minutes before it collapsed


Authorities are now investigating whether the accident was preventable, although a spokesperson for the state's regulatory agency has confirmed that the strong winds played a 'contributing role' in the collapse.

The 35-year-old lift was due to be upgraded by 2020 as part of an investment plan.

But Ethan Austin, a spokesman for the Carrabassett Valley resort, said it was not unusual for a lift that old to still be in use.

Every lift is checked daily and receives weekly, monthly and annual testing by maintenance workers.


source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Juggling act: Model Cindy Crawford has her hands full as she headed onto the beach to play the French game of boules with husband Rande Gerber and son Presley in Mexico


She is one of the most famous models in the world but Cindy Crawford is more than just a pretty face.

The supermodel mother showed off some hidden talents on the beach in Cabo San Lucas yesterday while indulging in the French game of boules with her family.

Cindy, 44, demonstrated her athletic abilities alongside her husband of 12 years and youngest son, Presley, 11.


Play time: The model and mother put her skills on show


The star kept her famous body covered up in a wide brimmed brown fedora and cream cover-up over her bikini to protect herself from the sun.


Fun in the sun: Cindy was earlier spotted taking a little 'me' time


The day before she kept it very low-key as she relaxed by the pool at the resort in Los Cabos, Mexico where her family are enjoying a winter sun holiday.

And she looked the picture of contentment as she curled up on a sun lounger and played with her phone while her family played in the pool.

And even though she's not flaunting her body in a bikini on the beach, it's clear the supermodel is more stunning than ever these days.

Cindy, who first became famous in the 80s alongside Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Helena Christensen, has admitted to using a little help from a plastic surgeon in the past.

She said: 'I'm not going to lie to myself: Past a certain age, creams work on the texture of your skin but, in order to restore elasticity, all I can really count on is vitamin injections, Botox and collagen,' she told Gala magazine.

Cindy had once claimed that a 'miracle mixture' of ground coffee and olive oil kept her skin in its enviable condition.

Yet now with refreshing honesty, she came clean and admitted to a little help.

'I have a very simple, healthy life, which works miracles,' she says. 'I drink a lot of water, watch what I eat and exercise. But I owe the quality of my skin to my cosmetic surgeon.'


Cindy Crawford's Meaningful Beauty line


source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Pale: Kate Winslet went make-up free for a night out in London last night


She's the actress who is famous for her stunning English Rose complexion.

But instead of glowing as she usually does, Kate Winslet last night looked pale as she went make-up free for a night out in London.

The 35-year-old actress' all-black outfit also did nothing to flatter her complexion as she went for dinner at Scott's restaurant.


English rose? The 35-year-old actress didn't have her usual glow as she went for dinner at Scott's restaurant


Winslet is back in England for Christmas and New Year while her two children Mia and Joe spend the festive season in their hometown of New York.

And while her estranged husband Sam Mendes remains in New York as well, Winslet is getting ready to embark on 2011 as one of Hollywood's most eligible leading ladies.

After the shock announcement in March 2010 that Winslet and Mendes had decided to end their relationship, Winslet enjoyed the single life for a period before starting dating model Louis Dowler.

However, the pair broke up in November after a four-month relationship, with Winslet apparently saying she wanted to be alone.

But it seems Winslet is now keen to get back on the dating scene once again, as she was spotted lunching with a mystery man at Scott's yesterday.


Smiles all round: Kate was apparently spotted with a mystery man at the eatery


Time to head home: The Titanic star looked tired as she made her way home


And the actress will be spending a lot more time in London, as it was recently revealed she will be moving back to the UK with her two children while Mendes directs the new James Bond movie.

Winslet told the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye: 'Sam is doing the next Bond film, all being well, and we’ll all be in England if that happens.

'It’s such a massive commitment for him and it’s not fair for him to commute backwards and ­forwards to New York from ­London. It would be impossible. The children will be there with me.'

However, before the new Bond film, Winslet and her children are moving to France for nine weeks in the New Year, to film Roman Polanski’s screen version of Yasmina Reza’s play God Of Carnage.


Kate Winslet - What if



The Holiday - music video


source :dailymail

By NATALIE WAIN

Down in the dumps: You can't blame Hugh Grant for being a bit peeved. After forking out around £120,000 for a new Ferrari California, you'd think you could rely on it not to break down


If Hugh Grant was dreaming of driving off into the sunset with his now-single ex, Liz Hurley, then he may wish to reconsider his mode of transportation.

The beleaguered actor did not look at all amused today as his brand new Ferrari California ran into a spot of bother en route to play a round of golf in Kent.

The £120,000 super-car came to a standstill approaching a roundabout near the town of Sandwich.


Dream car: Although Hugh Grant's afternoon turned into a nightmare after his brand new Ferrari California broke down en route to play a round of golf


Grant was forced to mount the curb and steer the vehicle onto the grass verge so as not to block the busy road.

The golf enthusiast was on his to way play golf at the Royal St George's Club, which is well known as the venue for the Open Championship.

Keen not to be parted from his precious cargo, the actor retrieved his golfing equipment from the car and waited with them on the verge before his friend Paul McMullan arrived to assist him.


Precious cargo: Looks like Grant has his priorities sorted though as he retrieved his golf clubs from the stranded vehicle. Although quite where he found room for them in the compact sports car is anyone's guess


The glum star of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Love Actually can probably afford the repair bill, although maybe he'll cheer up a little when he remembers that his new purchase has a full two-year warranty.

Maybe the bachelor will be driving off into the sunset after all. But any woman who comes between Hugh Grant and a round of golf should probably beware!


Smile! You'd think Hugh Grant would be grateful after his friend, Paul McMullan rescued him after his car ran into a spot of bother earlier today. But Grant looks less than impressed...maybe he's contemplating the pricey repair bill

source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

A gloomy New Year: The Royal Albert bridge over the Tamar in Plymouth appears through the fog this morning


Showers expected across Britain through the week

Temperatures to drop below average as 2011 begins

December set to be coldest ever - a degree colder than previous record


The worst of the winter weather has passed but Britain can expect a cold and damp start to 2011, the Met Office has warned.

The weather is no longer being influenced by freezing Arctic patterns and air is now moving into Britain from the Atlantic but the mercury will fall again in the first days of January.

Some areas paralysed by heavy snow before Christmas are likely to be basking in relatively balmy temperatures of up to 12c (54f) today.


Covered capital: Boats pass under Waterloo bridge during a foggy day in London


But after mild conditions over the next few days, the weather will turn colder again next week, with temperatures expected to be below the 3.4C (38F) average.

Forecasters have also warned there will be fog in many areas of the country because of moisture in the air and there are fears that these ‘quick melt’ conditions, combined with heavy rain, could lead to flooding in parts of Devon.


Misty misery: Thick fog descends on Bournemouth seafront today, as walkers disappear from view on Boscombe pier


But the Environment Agency believes the risk of flooding in most areas is ‘very low’.

Unless there is an unexpected change, New Year celebrations should go ahead smoothly, without the transport nightmares that brought much of the country to a standstill in recent weeks.


Eye of the storm: A pigeon sits on a wall near the partially shrouded by fog London Eye


Most areas will remain above freezing on Friday night, forecasters are predicting.

In the North-East, which has been particularly hard hit by the Arctic conditions for the past month, temperatures will stay below average, but the ice is still expected to gradually melt away.

For the second winter running, a severe month-long big freeze has cost the economy billions and this December is expected to be the chilliest since records began 100 years ago.

So far December 2010 has been ‘over a degree colder’ than the previous record, set in 1981.

Forecaster Barry Gromett said: 'The national record goes back to 1910 and it's running by some margin the coldest December at the moment.'

He added that we were 'over a degree colder' than the previous record.


Foggy London town: The capital's most famous landmarks are almost obscured by the gloomy weather


Grim commute: London workers cross the Millennium bridge while St Paul's Cathedral rises through the fog


Sailing through the fog: A tourist boat ploughs through the grim conditions on the Thames


Rosie, a 10-year-old German Shepherd, had skidded into icy Connaught Water in Chingford, East London, and clung on to the ice as rescuers edged their way towards her


Meanwhile, airport operator BAA said it welcomed legislation that would 'improve the experience for passengers' as the Government considers new plans to fine airports millions of pounds.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said he wanted the air regulators to have new powers after Heathrow ground to a halt during the big freeze last week, ruining the holidays of tens of thousands of people.

A spokesman for BAA said: 'We will of course play a full part in the Government's discussions about this year's weather disruption and will make public the findings of our own independent investigation.

'We welcome legislation designed to improve the experience for passengers at the UK's airports.'


London Eye - December Snow 2010


source: dailymail

Lily Allen is to marry builder and decorator Sam Cooper after he surprised her by proposing during a holiday in Bali


Lily Allen is to marry after her boyfriend surprised her by proposing during a holiday in Bali.

The 25-year-old singer burst into tears when Sam Cooper popped the question on Christmas Day, weeks after she had suffered a miscarriage.

Following their ordeal, the couple had jetted away for a last-minute Christmas break.

They spent several days in Australia before moving on to the exclusive Amankila cliff-side resort on the Indonesian island.

Mr Cooper, 32, proposed at sunset on the balcony of their £800-a-night suite, which overlooks the Indian Ocean.

A friend of the couple told the Mail: ‘It has been a terrible time for Lily and Sam, but they are totally in love with one another.

‘It all came out of the blue - but Lily was overwhelmed and they are both overjoyed. They can look to the future now.’

The couple celebrated in the hotel bar with fellow guests, drinking champagne and cocktails until the early hours.


Lily has described Sam as a 'normal bloke' and 'the love of my life'


One onlooker said: ‘Lily was telling everyone that she and Sam had just got engaged - they could not keep the smiles off their faces. It couldn’t have been more romantic.

The resort is just so peaceful and picturesque.’

The couple have been dating since July 2009. Miss Allen has described Mr Cooper, a builder and decorator, as a ‘normal bloke’ and ‘the love of my life’.

She added: ‘Sam treats me differently. He’s told me he’ll look after me forever. That’s what I’ve always wanted.’

Miss Allen’s miscarriage in November was her second, after she suffered one when she was with former boyfriend Ed Simons of dance band The Chemical Brothers.

But this month her sister Sarah Owen said the singer would be trying for another baby soon.

A spokesman for Miss Allen declined to comment last night.


Lily Allen is engaged to Sam Cooper



source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Daddy day care: Sean 'Diddy' Combs is holidaying in St Barts with his children and ex-girlfriend Kim Porter


He's usually seen enjoying expensive drinks and dancing with beautiful girls in his music videos.

But Sean 'Diddy' Combs was on full daddy duty on Tuesday as he holidayed in St Barts with his ex-girlfriend Kim Porter, twin daughters D'Lila Star and Jessie James, four, and son Christian Combs.

The little girls happily played in the sand as Kim kept a watchful eye on them, while Christian, 12, chatted with local girls on the beach.

Combs, 41, is a regular visitor to St Barts, spending last Christmas and New Year and June on rented yachts off the coast of the island.


The family that plays together: Combs goes back to St Barts every year


He is likely to remain in the Caribbean until early 2011.

As well as the twins, Porter and Combs also have 12-year-old son Christian together, with the rapper acting as a surrogate stepfather to her son Quincy from a previous relationship with singer Al B.


Travelling in style: Diddy picks up his family from Grande Saline Beach in a small dingy boat to head to their 100 foot in St Barths


His son Justin is the result of Diddy's relationship with his high school sweetheart, Misa Hylton-Brim.

Although the couple officially split three years ago, they have remained close for the sake of their children.

They originally began dating in 1994 before he left her for Jennifer Lopez in 1999.

The couple got back together in 2003 but split up again in 2007 just eight months after the birth of the twins, after Porter found out he had fathered a daughter, Chance, exactly a year earlier.

In a recent interview on U.S. talk show The View, Combs admitted growing up with a single mother after his father died meant he didn't place such importance on marriage.

The rapper claimed he wasn't ready for marriage: 'Why I'm not married yet, I don't have the exact reason. Some things in life you don't have the exact reason.

My father was killed when I was three years old... I never got a chance to see the way a family lives, but I'm not making an excuse.'


Sean Diddy Combs Performs Coming Home The View


source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Little sister: Kourtney kardashian, who has revealed she has lost 45lbs following the birth of her son, attended a party with her sisters Kim and Khloe over the holidays


At just 5ft, she is the shortest of the famous Kardashian sisters.

And now Kourtney is the slimmest too after finally losing 3st 2lb (45lb) following the birth to her son Mason a year ago.

The 31-year-old star showed off her new sleek figure this week at the Kardashian Holiday Party, posing for pictures alongside her younger sisters, Kim, 30, and curvy Khloe, 26.

Wearing a short bronze coloured cocktail dress with animal print high heels the reality star looked radiant and svelte.

She recently talked openly about how she shed the pounds in a new interview with America's OK Magazine.

'I love my new body,' she told the magazine.

'They say it takes a full year to really get your body back and I believe that. I was 140lb when I gave birth and I'm 95 now. But for me it is about being a healthy mom and not being a certain weight.'


'I love my new body': The star worked out with a trainer and ate small meals often to shed the weight


The new mother revealed she shed the weight by eating small, healthy meals every two hours, rather than three big meals a day.

She also worked out as often as she could by running and doing strength training in the gym.

Sometimes she works out just by doing day to day things with her one-year-old son.
'I'd take him on walks when he was a baby and do squats while holding him,' she claims.

Like everybody, Kourtney admitted she does have some weaknesses when it comes to her diet.

'I'll eat Oreo Double Stufs, but I will have two instead of a whole box. And I love chips!'


And baby makes three: Kourtney was joined by her boyfriend Scott Disick and their son Mason


Her sister Kim, who fluctuates between 8st 8lb and 7st 7lb (124lb and 109lb), has also been showing of a slimmer figure in recent weeks after getting back in the gym following a short break.

The star revealed that she fell off the workout wagon at the end of the summer and only worked out once while filming her new reality show for eight weeks in New York with Kourtney.

But since the end of November, when she jump started her fitness regimen, Kim has been working out up to four times a week.


Working it out: Kim has been hitting the gym hard of late, seen yesterday in LA arriving for a photoshoot


Just yesterday she was spotted out looking sleek and slender in an all black outfit as she joined her friend, Pussycat Dolls creator Robin Antin, for a girls day out.

The fashion and reality TV mogul kept her long hair pulled back off her face but kept it covered with an enormous pair of sunglasses.

Antin, 49, a dancer and choreographer, also wore an all black outfit of black leggings and a black leather jacket.

The ladies had their nails done in Beverly Hills before strolling down Rodeo Drive for a spot of shopping.

They then headed over the Neiman Marcus department store where they browsed the shoe department.


New clothes: Kim looked stylish in an all black ensemble



Ladies who lunch: Kim and Robin had their nails done in Beverly Hills before browsing the shoe department in Neiman Marcus


source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Smash-em-up: An outraged Brooklyn Heights resident captures a New York City sanitation crew continually running into a parked car in Joralemon Street. Crews are desperate to clear up after the big blizzard


- Stranded air travellers endure further airport sleep-overs

- Incoming passengers forced to wait on runway for six hours

- Medical crews given a 20-minute time limit to treat patients

- Angry New Yorkers turn on Mayor Bloomberg


New Yorkers were today struggling to cope with the aftermath of one of the biggest snow storms to hit the region, severely hampering public transportation and leaving thousands without power.

The city's sanitation crews are faced with the twin problems of banked up show and abandoned cars in the streets, and angry residents have rounded on Mayor Michael Bloomberg to demand a swifter clean-up operation.

Amateur film footage shows one crew continually running into a parked car and causing damage to at least one other as they fight against time to get the city up and running again.

A Brooklyn Heights resident caught the scene on tape, as the crew clearly threw caution to the wind and muscled its way out of Joralemon Street near Hicks Street.


Extensive damage: Almost clear of the parked car, the operator of the plough unbelievably swings the bucket into the back of the car, sending it into the car in front (the car's bumper can be seen lying in the snow)


An estimated two feet of snow piled up over the weekend, forcing the cancellation of 4,500 flights in the New York region alone - and closing down major airports in Boston and Philadelphia.

Trains and buses were also cancelled in the region and emergency crews were struggling to get toi the scenes of scores of road accidents.

While the Federal Aviation Administration said yesterday that the region's major airports were back open for business, all were reporting delays of of two hours or more.

The storm whipped through the Northeast from Sunday to Monday, stranding tens of thousands of travellers trying to return home after the Christmas holiday.

Elizabeth, New Jersey, just south of Newark, was covered by three feet of snow.



Summing up New Yorkers' moods: An exasperated resident has gouged 'HELP' into the snow on a car window on West 73rd Street. Many of the city's streets remain impassable


King of the hill: Martino Banella, 10, stands on top of a mound of snow in Time Square during a vacation with his family from Italy. Sanitation crews literally have a to move a mountain of snow


Underground and under snow: Around two feet of snow fell on New York over Sunday and Monday, disrupting air and rail travel and challenging motorists with blowing snow and icy roads. Subways also closed down


The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it would take up to three days before flights would return to normal schedules.

The backlog of cancelled and accumulated flights since Sunday could mean that many travellers might be stranded through the New Year.

Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman told the New York Times: 'We have arrivals, we have departures, but we're still looking at a lot of cancellations.

'It could take days to clear because you had two days of no flights.'

And it's not just outbound passengers being delayed. Planes arriving in New York have been forced to wait on the tarmac for up to eight hours at JFKl Airport because of a lack of terminal space and customs processing capacity.


Buried: A Sanitation Department plough truck is stuck on West 16th Street in Brooklyn, New York. Other bogged and buried cars and emergency vehicles have hampered clean-up operations throughout the city


Landed and stranded: Aircraft landing at JFK have been stuck on the tarmac due to lack of space at terminal stands, meaning passengers have been sealed in planes for up to seven hours



Terminal delays: Meanwhile, piling up in the terminals, thousands of travellers and their luggage wait for their flights to be rescheduled. Many will still be waiting to get home into the New Year, say experts


CNN reported that a Cathay Pacific Airways flight from Vancouver that landed at 2.15am and was still on the tarmac in the afternoon.

A British Airways flight was stranded for seven hours and it was six hours before passengers on an Aeromexico flight were able to get off the plane.

Getting in and around New York remained extremely difficult because of reduced subway and bus services, and with many streets still clogged with snow.

In addition to the snow, many drivers simply abandoned their vehicles and clean-up crews cannot contact the vehicles owners or tow them in treacherous conditions.

Mr Bloomberg insisted that the city was doing all it could to clear streets of snow and abandoned vehicles, but he was drawing angry criticism from residents and political opponents for not doing enough quickly enough.


Sun and snow: New Yorkers are seen trying to go about their day as the snow remains uncleared. Mayor Michael Bloomberg - under attack over the city's slow response - has appealed for patience


Mr Bloomberg said that he did not know when all of the city’s streets might be plowed, adding: 'This storm is not like any other we’ve had to deal with.

When a reporter relayed people’s anger about what they believed had been a lackluster response to the blizzard, Mr Bloomberg interrupted with: 'I’m angry, too.'

City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn said she would hold an oversight committee into the city's reaction in two weeks' time.

But she said the response was unacceptable, adding that 'the collective storm response was not anywhere near up to the standards New Yorkers are accustomed to'.

The mayor had angered New Yorkers on Monday by saying: 'The world has not come to an end. The city is going fine.'


Winter wonderland: Despite resident anger and calls for a faster clean-up, New York's children have been taking the opportunity to use the city as their playground


The Day After Tomorrow: Scenes in New York are reminiscent of, but not quite as bad as, the 2004 disaster film. Coincidentally, experts say it will be the day after tomorrow before things start getting back to normal


To thousands of residents trapped in their houses or streets - many suffering a lack of electricity or heating - Mr Bloomberg's comments were insensitive and totall off the mark.

Patchy or nonexistent service on subways, buses and commuter trains continued to hamper the city's efforts to get back to normal.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said subway service was operating but with outages on a number of lines, especially those open to the elements.

Some train service had also been restored on the Long Island Rail Road on its Babylon, Huntington, Port Washington and Ronkonkoma branches. But many others, including the Oyster Bay and Long Beach lines, were out of service.


White Christmas: Festive decorations at the Rockefeller Center are covered - and in some cases buried - in snow. Residents have seen their dream of a white Christmas turn into an annoying nightmare


Ploughing on: A bulldozer with the Independent Environmental Services Incorporate helps clear snow from West 50th Street. THousands of streets and sidewalks will have to be cleared before the city can start moving


Bus service has fared even worse, with many areas outside Manhattan having no buses at all because of impassible roads.

The epic blizzard has also caused an unexpected and life-threatening side-effect.
NYC medics are so busy that, for the first time in history, they have been given a time limit for performing CPR on patients.

The New York Post revealed that emergency services normally call a doctor for advice after working on a patient for 20 minutes. The doctor can allow them to contunue to revive a patient for more than an hour.

But, faced with an enormous backlog of 1,300 calls, the medics have been told to give up after 20 minutes and move on to the next case.




source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

New friends: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are snapped with fellow humanitarians in Namibia


Last week they were pictured piling a trolley full of toys for their children, but this week Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are giving back.

As they continue their trip in Namibia, the Hollywood power couple were at their humanitarian best as they posed with some fellow philanthropists.

The group shot was taken in Namibia in the last couple of days in the glow of the stunning African sun.

Holding her adopted daughter Zahara in her arms, Angelina was the very essence of earth mother dressed in a simple black T-shirt and loose pants and her hair hanging naturally around her shoulders.

To her left was husband Brad, who balanced the couple's other daughter Shiloh on his hip.


Family Christmas: Angelina and Brad piled their trolley high with Christmas shopping at a mall in Windhoek, Namibia, last week


The actor looked similarly casual and relaxed with his black hat and shades.
The family were posing with a host family and a few new friends.

They are staying with Dr. Rudie van Vuuren, a famous physician, cricket player and conservationist, his wife Marlice, also a well known conservationist, and their son Zacheo.

The family runs the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary and Lodge, where Brad, Angelina, and their kids decided to spend Christmas this year.

Shiloh was born in the seaside town of Swakopmund in the African country four years ago.

The well-travelled family spend every other Christmas in the U.S., then enjoy a trip to a far-flung location the second year.

Earlier this month Angelina explained: 'We're going to travel with the kids and go to a random part of the world.'

'We're going to travel and have an adventure because that's what we love to do.'




source: dailymail

By PAUL THOMPSON

Hit: Toy Story 3 was the most successful film of this year, earning £700million worldwide


Family films reigned at the box office in 2010 with half of the top ten grossing films aimed at young children and teens.

The animated movie Toy Story 3 was the most successful of them all earning almost £700million worldwide.

Even without a major Hollywood star appearing on screen the enduring story of Woody and Buzz Lightyear eclipsed all the other blockbuster films released in 2010.

Not even the most talked about stars, including Angelina Jolie and Tom Cruise, came close to matching the pulling power to the characters created by Pixar studios.


Mad about it: Alice In Wonderland, starring Johnny Depp, came in second place


Only Leonardo DiCaprio in the thriller Inception came close to smashing the dominance of animated films in the last year managing fourth place on the top ten list of highest earning films.

Toy Story 3 took £680million at the worldwide box and was also the most successful film at UK cinemas.

Featuring the voices of Tom Hanks as cowboy Woody and Tim Allen as rocketman Buzz Lightyear, the film is now ranked as the 5th most successful of all time behind Titanic and Avatar.

Critics raved about the third in the series of Disney produced film and audiences flocked to see the conclusion of the series that first began in 1995.

Despite the huge success of Toy Story 3 Disney and animators Pixar have no plans to make a fourth in the series.

Another family film Alice in Wonderland starring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter was the second highest grossing film.

The 3D feature took £650million at the box office to earn the runner up place.
The penultimate Harry Potter movie was third taking £536m, according to Forbes business magazine.


Family favourite: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One came in third after taking £536m


Since its release last month Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One has been a runaway success at the box office.


Forbes predicts the release of Deathly Hallows Part Two, the final Harry Potter film released next year,the story of the boy wizard will become the most successful film franchise of all time by earning over £5bn.The thriller Inception was fourth and was the only 'adult' film to make it into the top ten grossing movies of 2010.

Another animated family feature Shrek Forever After was fifth with £475m while two other children's films Despicable Me and How to Train Your Dragon were in the top ten grossing film.

Of all the big budget films featuring special effects only Clash of Titans and Iron Man 2 made the top ten.

Fans of British star Robert Pattinson helped propel the latest Twilight film into the top ten with a box office take of £447m.


Toy Story 3 - Official Teaser Trailer



Alice in Wonderland



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows


source: dailymail