File photo shows Britney Spears as she leaves the Stanley Mosk Courthouse garage after a child custody hearing with her ex-husband regarding her two sons in Los Angeles, California October 26, 2007. [Agencies]

Pop star Britney Spears on Tuesday was granted in a court hearing overnight visitation rights with sons Sean Preston, twoa nd half years, and Jaden James, 21 months, who are in the custody of her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, according to Web site TMZ.com.

The Grammy-winning entertainer hasn't had her children overnight since January following her forced hospitalization at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

At the closed-door hearing, Spears and Federline appeared before Commissioner Scott Gordon, who took the one-hour proceeding behind closed doors. The pop star and a parenting coach were questioned by Gordon.

Court spokesman Allan Parachini said that at the end of the hearing Gordon ordered the modification to Spears' visitation rights and set another status conference in the case for July 15.

Spears has turned her life around in the past few months after a year of troubling behaviour and two brief hospitalizations for psychiatric evaluation.

She has been mentioned as a possible Emmy award nominee for her guest appearance on the TV sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" and is reportedly working on a new album.

In May, Spears was granted expanded visitation rights to her two sons, with Federline retaining custody the boys. Federline has had full custody of his two sons with Spears since January.

The pop diva's personal life spiralled out of control after her 2006 breakup with Federline.

She shaved her head, entered rehab, was ordered to take drug and alcohol tests and parenting classes, and was twice taken to psychiatric units for treatment of what has been reported to be bipolar disorder.

(Xinhua/Agencies June 25, 2008)