12:36pm UK, Saturday May 29, 2004

Troubled Britney Spears is being helped by two full-time counsellors, according to a newspaper report.

The 22-year-old will be given round-the clock support at a cost of £100,000 a year, says the Daily Mirror.

180 Britney Spears 2003 Teen Choice Awards

Months of trouble for Britney

Their job will be to keep her away from booze and help get her life and career back on track.

There have been concerns about the singer since her disastrous 72-hour marriage to her old pal Jason Alexander in January.

A source told the Daily Mirror: "Everyone's been very concerned about Britney's mental state since the Las Vagas stunt.

"She went home to her family afterwards and had a mini-meltdown. Everyone, including her, decided she needed support."

Recent months have brought emotional turmoil to Britney - she was recently devastated to discover her current boyfriend 26-year-old Kevin Federline has a pregnant ex-girlfriend.

The problems didn't stop for Britney when she was accused of miming through much of her recent Hotel Onyx tour and critics branded her sexy stage routine as "desperate".

Britney has also pulled out of a number of Far East dates saying she was "exhausted".

A source quoted by the Mirror says the employment of two counsellors is helping Britney.

The source said: "She's very good when they're on duty. She will sit down with them for up to two hours a day and talk through everything that's upsetting her.

"They'll listen and offer advice but they can't force her to do anything. She's had a hell of a lot to deal with.

"Everyone's very concerned about her state of mind and the therapists are seen as imperative to ensure she doesn't go off the rails completely."