Re-born wild child Britney Spears has today made an apologetic defence of her recent behaviour " which has included long nights drinking with A-list party girls including Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan.

The statement comes a day after news that the Los Angeles Welfare Department have been trying to get a meeting with her.

The recently separated mother of two admitted on her website: "I probably did take my new-found freedom too far ... Every move I make at this point has been magnified more than I expected."

She wasn't entirely grovelling, though, as she added in her defence: "It's been so long since I've been out on the town with friends," she explained. "It's also been 2 years since I celebrated my birthday."

She concluded her statement optimistically, saying "I am looking forward to a new year of new music, a new me!"

As if to celebrate a part of the 'new her' she also thanked "Victoria's secrets' new underwear line," which will, we hope, be keeping her more private parts a little more secret in future

In fact, she should be getting a couple of boxes in the post just for mentioning them " so there's no excuses now Brit!

'SL'