Paris Hilton: 'Spears is a great mother'

Paris Hilton has defended Britney Spears' skills as a mother during an interview on US TV.

The US socialite said the media should leave the troubled popstar alone because she is a "great girl".

"I wish the best for her and I just wish everyone would leave her alone so she could live her life," Hilton told E! News.

"She's a great mother and a great girl and I really care about her. She's a very sweet girl and I love her to death."

Hilton became close friends with Spears following the singer's marriage split from Kevin Federline in 2006.

Spears is currently banned from visiting her two children Jayden James and Sean Preston following her hospitalisation earlier this month.