The UK Skills Investment Fund (SIF) has reached the £4m ($7.6m) mark thanks to the success of blockbusters such as Sony's Casino Royale, Working Title's Bean 2 and Warner Bros' Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix.

The SIF is a levy on theatrical productions, collected by UK body Skillset, and used to fund training initiatives in the country.

At the moment contributions - up to a maximum of $74,000 (£39,000) - are voluntary, although they are set to become compulsory.

322 productions have now contributed to the SIF since its launch in 1999, helping pay for more than 250 new entrant production trainees; more than 650 training bursaries; and subsidising courses, seminars and masterclasses attended by more than 3,500 people.