Spears given $1,500 a week credit limit

A judge has granted Britney Spears a $1,500 (£750) per week credit allowance.

Spears, who failed to show at her court hearing yesterday, was given the allowance after Commissioner Goetz agreed a fee with the singer's father Jamie Spears, who is in control of his daughter's affairs for the next five months.

The troubled popstar has been given a debit card to allow her to "enjoy herself and have some freedom of choice", said her conservatorship attorney Geraldine Wyle.

Commissioner Goetz also granted the conservatorship team $25,000 a month to pay a Miami lawyer to handle Britney's legal issues with label Jive Records over back payments.

Though Spears chose to stay away from court, Commissioner Goetz said, "even though it is clear that Ms Spears is aware of these hearings and chose not to appear, I am holding this hearing as it is necessary in her absence to prevent harm to her".