PETA HEAPS PRAISE ON SPEARS

The star came under fire from the organisation's campaigners in December (08), after she used elephants in the music video for her single Circus.

A spokesperson for the group claimed the star should be able to relate to caged animals' plight as she is a "victim of the paparazzi and always crying about how she hates to be held up in her guarded house."

But now the star appears to be back in favour with the activists - after leaving out all live creatures for her forthcoming trek.

President Ingrid Newkirk tells RadarOnline.com, "PETA praises Britney for embracing modern animal-free circuses like Cirque du Soleil, which spotlight human creativity and talents instead of forcing chained and beaten exotic animals to perform confusing and uncomfortable tricks... Now Britney won't risk winding up in court on cruelty charges."