Britney's driving scare

Music

13:30 08 February 2006

Britney Spears has sparked outrage after driving her car with her baby son on her lap.

Photos showing the 'Toxic' singer behind the wheel with four-month-old Sean Preston perched on her knee have triggered an outcry among road safety campaigners.

However, Britney has defended her actions - telling police she drove off with Sean on her lap because she was alarmed by nearby photographers.

The sexy star said she and her bodyguard had driven to Starbucks in Malibu, with the tot strapped into a baby seat.

When the minder went inside, Britney put Sean on her lap and claims she drove off with him still sitting there after spotting the photographers.

She said in a statement released to America's People magazine: "Because of a recent incident when I was trapped in my car without my baby by a throng of paparazzi, I was terrified this time the physically aggressive paparazzi would put both me and my baby in danger.

"I instinctively took measures to get my baby and me out of harm's way, but the paparazzi continued to stalk us, and took photos of us which were sold to the media."

She also said: "I love my child and would do anything to protect him."

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