Minecraft Is Apple's Top-Selling App Of The Year

Minecraft is building an empire - brick by brick.

The "pocket edition" of the game which grips youngsters for hours on end as they create their own world - adapted from the computer version - is the most popular paid-for app on iPhones and iPads, according to a best of the year round-up by iTunes.

The most downloaded free app for both devices was the game Candy Crush Saga which features an array of puzzles involving sweets.

The language-learning aid Duolingo was chosen as the iPhone app of the year, while Disney Animated, which allows users to learn the secrets of creating cartoons and bringing illustrations to life, has been named as the iPad app of the year.

Here are the year's top choices from iTunes:

iPhone App of the Year - Duolingo

iPad App of the Year - Disney Animated

iPhone Game of the Year - Ridiculous Fishing

iPad Game of the Year - Badland

Top 10 iPhone Apps (Free)

1. Candy Crush Saga
2. Snapchat
3. Temple Run 2
4. 4 Pics 1 Word
5. YouTube
6. Google Maps
7. Facebook
8. Instagram
9. Despicable Me
10. Minion Rush
11. Skype for iPhone

Top 10 iPhone Apps (Paid)

1. Minecraft - Pocket Edition
2. Angry Birds Star Wars
3. Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock
4. Temple Run: Oz
5. The Chase
6. Facetune
7. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
8. Plague Inc.
9. Angry Birds Star Wars II
10. 7 Minute Workout Challenge

Top 10 iPad Apps (Free)

1. Candy Crush Saga
2. YouTube
3. Skype for iPad
4. Temple Run 2
5. BBC iPlayer
6. ITV Player
7. eBay for iPad
8. Despicable Me: Minion Rush
9. 4 Pics 1 Word
10. Calculator for iPad Free

Top 10 iPad Apps (Paid)

1. Minecraft - Pocket Edition
2. Wreck-it Ralph
3. Angry Birds Star Wars HD
4. The Chase
5. Temple Run: Oz
6. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
7. Angry Birds Star Wars II
8. Peppa Pig's Holiday
9. Plants vs. Zombies HD
10. Scrabble for iPad