Britney Spears' UK move

Aug 23, 2007, 11:34 GMT

good luck Jeff REUTERS SCHWEIZ/Siggi Bucher

Britney Spears is reportedly set to flee to Britain in a bid to win custody of her two children.

The 'Toxic' singer - who is currently battling ex-husband Kevin Federline to be the primary carer of 23-month-old Sean Preston and Jayden James, 11 months - wants to move to London and begin a new life with the boys.

However, Britney knows she won't be able to take them out of the country without Kevin's permission so she is planning a dramatic TV disappearing act.

The troubled star wants to vanish in a spectacular stunt at the end of her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas and re-appear in London.

She hopes the Houdini-style act will confuse everyone, including Kevin, and give her the time she needs to fly to the UK.

The trick, which is due to happen next month, has been arranged by Britney's reported new love interest, magician Criss Angel, and the pair spent two nights last week perfecting the move.

A source told America's OK! magazine: "She thinks her only hope is to move to London and start afresh. She wants those boys more than anything in the world and it's heart-breaking."

Despite her attempts to keep Sean and Jayden, Kevin will still be able to claim the children from the UK due to the Hague Convention, which allows parents to seek the return of, or access to, their child.

US divorce lawyer Raoul Felder said: "You can run, but you can't hide. If you go to most foreign countries you come under the Hague Convention.

"There would be a hearing in London and hey would award the father the children."

Britney and Kevin's divorce was finalised last month and they were awarded joint custody of the boys.

However, Kevin is now seeking full custody saying Britney - who recently spent time in rehab for alcoholism and alleged post-natal depression - is unfit to care for the children.

(C) BANG Media International