Britney hospitalised over 'mental health'

Britney Spears has been taken to UCLA Medical Centre by police and placed on a "mental health evaluation hold".

It is the second time this month that Spears has been physically removed from her LA home by the authorities.

Police arrived at Spears' home at 1am today and escorted her from the residence by radioing the words "the package is on the way out", according to the Los Angeles Times.

Authorities have confirmed they were responding to a phone call from Spears' psychiatrist.

One officer, who requested anonymity, said Spears was being taken to "get help".

According to TMZ, the popstar is under a 5150 hold, the involuntary confinement of a person deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.

Earlier this week, photographs were published of Spears crying on a street kerb, following a row between the singer and her friend Sam Lufti.