Aunt: 'Britney should be on suicide watch'

Britney Spears' aunt has claimed that the singer should be placed on suicide watch.

Chanda McGovern said she feared for her niece's life because of her increasingly fragile mental state.

Speaking after the star was hospitalised following a custody dispute at her LA home last week, McGovern said Spears may commit suicide if she fails to receive psychological help.

She told Us Weekly: "She needs to be on suicide watch."

TMZ has claimed that Spears' relatives are working with professionals to secure mental help and may consider seeking a court order forcing her into hospital if she refuses to co-operate.

TV therapist Dr Phil McGraw has been criticised by both Spears' family and his peers in the industry for speaking publicly about his visit with the star in hospital last week.