Intoxicated Britney in hospital after custody row

Troubled Britney Spears was in hospital today after adding a new chapter to her troubled life.

The 26-year-old former singer had to be taken from her Los Angeles home by ambulance after police were called to a row between her and ex-husband Kevin Federline over custody of their sons.

Spears finally handed over the boys Sean Preston and Jayden James after three hours during which six police cars, two ambulances and a fire engine were sent to the gated community where she lives.

She was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre but a spokeswoman there refused to comment on her condition.

Police said officers were called to Spears’ house around 8pm yesterday.

Spears turned the children over around 10.50pm, said officer Jason Lee.

Lee said Spears was under the influence of an unknown substance, but declined to give further details. No injuries were reported.

Spears and Federline, who were married in October 2004 and divorced in July, have been involved in a long and very public custody battle over their children.

Federline has temporary custody of the children because Spears, who has limited visiting rights, has defied court orders.

Spears has appeared increasingly out of control in the last year. She has been photographed without underwear and appeared to be drunk.

She shaved her head, beat a car with an umbrella and spent a month in rehab. She has also had a handful of minor car bumps, including one in which she ran over a photographer’s foot.

Earlier yesterday Spears appeared for a deposition in her custody dispute, but spent just 14 minutes in court.

Her lawyers from the firm Trope and Trope asked a court on Wednesday for official permission to drop her as a client due to a “breakdown” in communication.