Mel Gibson is in the process of selling his Malibu mansion, apparently because living next to Britney Spears is unbearable.

Gibson lives next to Britney Spears in a gated community, and says that the disturbance of the singer and her entourage constantly being hounded by press and fans, along with the police and civil service visits last year, is disturbing his lifestyle.

The Passion of the Christ director has now put his $18 million mansion in Malibu, California on the market to get away from the troubled pop star.

A source told the Sydney Daily Telegraph: "People are always hanging around outside the gates and he is worried his kids might get hurt."

Gibson is reportedly trying to find a location which is closer to his $3.7 million Catholic church which he has built.