Britney's ex ordered to stay away

Britney Spears began her tour in New Orleans at the start of March

Britney Spears' father has taken out a restraining order against the singer's ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib, telling him to stay away from her for three years.

Mr Ghalib is a photographer who was involved with the star at the start of 2008, around the time she spent time in hospital and lost custody of her sons.

Her father, Jamie Spears, took over her welfare in February 2008 and fans have since seen a dramatic recovery.

She is now two weeks into a three-month tour, which ends in the UK in June.

Mr Ghalib must have no physical, e-mail or phone contact with the star, her parents or her two sons until March 2012.

The order was brought by Mr Spears and approved by Judge Aviva Bobb at Los Angeles Superior Court during a brief hearing on Wednesday.

Mr Spears has also sought to protect his daughter from her former self-styled manager Sam Lutfi.

Court documents said they had tried to undermine Mr Spears' control over the 27-year-old singer's affairs, according to the Associated Press (AP) news agency.

Mr Spears' lawyer told the judge that Mr Ghalib had not filed any objections to a protective order, AP said.