Spoof Kazakh reporter Borat, played by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, has scored a surprise number one at the US box office.

The film took almost £14 million in its first weekend in the United States and Canada - more than double the estimated forecasts.

With its naked wrestling and toilet humour, the film, whose full title is Borat: Cultural Learning of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, was not expected to be so popular with mainstream audiences.

It beat the new Tim Allen film, the third in the Santa Clause franchise, which came in second place.

The top ten in full:
1. Borat - $26.38m
2. Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause - $20.00m
3. Flushed Away - $19.10m
4. Saw III - $15.50m
5. The Departed - $8.00m
6. The Prestige - $7.78m
7. Flags of Our Fathers - $4.50
8. Man of the Year - $3.82m
9. Open Season - $3.10m
10. The Queen - $3.01m