9:17am UK, Monday September 30, 2002

Britney Spears has been hanging out at lap-dancing clubs - for the sake of her new movie.

The superstar's next role sees her play a stripper - and Britney wanted to research the part in person.

sp britney spears from baby one more time video

Gone back to school

Her debut movie Crossroads bombed at the box office, and Spears wants to make sure her next flick does better.

A source close to the 20-year-old said: "If that involves a bit of method acting then so be it.

Flesh

"I'm sure she could have watched the girls stripping on video.

"But she wanted to get a taste of the atmosphere and see the real thing in the flesh."

Britney has even been taking private lessons to learn how to gyrate around a pole.

The Daily Star quoted her as saying: "I have the body but now I need to learn some of the moves.

"Being a stripper is hard work."