Britney Spears Granted More Time With Her Children

Britney Spears can now spend more time with her children. Britney and her ex-husband Kevin Federline were in court yesterday for the latest hearing in their ongoing custody battle.

Although it was not made clear how Britney's visitation rights have increased, Kevin's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan said it was an "expansion of time", and went on to praise the troubled singer's progress.

He said: "It is a cautious step, but a step forward nonetheless."

"We are seeing signs of her progress, and consistency over time is something welcome by Kevin."

"The children are doing great."

Britney, who was accompanied by her family as she left the Los Angeles court, refused to comment on the ruling.

The singer's parents Jamie and Lynne said in a statement: "We are so pleased with Britney's progress, and we are appreciative of the court's recognition of this progress."

Kevin's spokesperson Elliot Mintz was pleased with the ruling, saying: "At the end of this saga Kevin is hoping and believing that there will be two children who are raised in the company of the two people who love them."

During the closed hearing, the court heard details of a report on Britney's mental health. The singer was first stripped of visitation rights to Sean Preston, two, and one-year-old Jayden James in January after she was ruled to be a danger to herself and the children.

In February, the ruling was amended to allow occasional supervised visits with her sons. Britney's father and lawyer currently have control of the singer's personal and business affairs, which will be reviewed at a hearing in July.