Speechless Britney stars on Hollywood Walk of Fame

POP star Britney Spears has joined showbiz greats with her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"I'm seriously speechless right now," Ms Spears told 2,000 screaming fans. "This is something that I've dreamt about since I was a little girl. I can't believe I'm actually here with all of you amazing fans."

The event took place one day after her corset-jiggling appearance on the American Music Awards, and a day before her latest album, In the Zone, was set to arrive in stores.

She arrived at the ceremony on Monday evening in jeans, a pink shirt and a furry pink jacket, and immediately began signing posters and magazines for admirers. One young woman, perched on a friend's shoulders, leaned over a barricade and begged Ms Spears to touch her hand then exploded in tears when the singer complied.

At the age of 21, Ms Spears ties with former Little House on the Prairie actress Melissa Gilbert for being the youngest person to accept a Walk of Fame star. Gilbert, now aged 39 and president of the Screen Actors Guild, received her honour in 1985.

Ms Spears made funny faces at friends and giggled as Johnny Grant, the Walk of Fame master of ceremonies and chairman of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, introduced her by reading the names of her singles and albums.

She has gone from posing as a schoolgirl to recently posing semi-nude for magazine covers.