The new Swallows and Amazons film - shot in Cumbria - has taken nearly £680,000 in its first week at the box office.

And more than 1,000 people have been to see it this week at Keswick’s Alhambra cinema - breaking box office records of more than 100 people watching a film on any given day.

The film, which is an adaptation of the famous children’s novel, had its premiere in Keswick and was filmed at a range of locations in the county including Derwentwater in Keswick and Crag Farm in Coniston.

It hit the silver screen last week and is showing at 452 cinemas across the country, with each averaging £1,496 in takings.

Starring Rafe Spall and Kelly Macdonald, it has taken £676,175

Tom Rennie, the owner operator of the Keswick Alhambra cinema, said: “The Swallows and Amazons film has been very popular.

“About 90 per cent of my business is tourists and over the last week we have been very busy with visitors.”

The first showing at the Keswick Alhambra was on August 19.

“We had 167 people at the first showing and then 304 people at two shows on August 20. From then every day we have broken the 100 record, which is virtually unheard of for us.”

In total, 1,044 people have seen the film in Keswick this week.

Mr Rennie was invited to the premiere of the film at the Theatre by the Lake.

He said: “It’s an excellent film. The children’s acting is very good and the scenery is wonderful.”

The book by Arthur Ransome, which is set in the Lakes, was published in 1929 and first turned into a film in 1974. It tells the tale of two families of children and involves sailing, camping, exploration and even piracy.

The star of the film is Kelly Macdonald - who plays Mrs Walker, the mother of four children, John, Susan, Tatty and Roger.

Tourism chiefs are hoping the film will have an impact on the local economy and encourage visitors to the county bringing an increase in bookings and trade.

The film is currently showing at the Vue cinema in Carlisle, Keswick Alhambra, the Plaza in Workington and the Gaiety cinema in Whitehaven.