Cineworld reported a 6 per cent rise in full-year box office sales and said it remained confident its bet on the 3D film format would pay off in spite of the small number of films being distributed in the format.

Britain’s biggest cinema chain after Odeon said takings from the release of Bolt in 3D last month exceeded expectations, and helped the chain of 75 cinemas to a solid start to the year. Only 13 3D films are set for distribution and not more than nine next year.