Spears given more time with sons

Britney Spears has been granted more time with her sons following a child custody hearing in LA.

Ex-husband Kevin Federline's lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan confirmed that the singer's visitation rights were extended at yesterday's closed session.

She will now be able to see Sean Preston, two, and 20-month-old Jayden James for longer periods, although Federline retains full custody.

Spears arrived on time for the hearing, during which an expert gave an assessment of her mental health.

Kaplan said: "We all see indicators of progress by Ms. Spears. What was a seemingly daily state of extreme flux has been stabilised."

Her parents said in a statement: "We are so pleased at Britney's progress and we are very appreciative of the court's recognition of this progress."

Spears recently filmed her second guest appearance in US sitcom How I Met Your Mother.