Britney Spears 'wants to be taken seriously'

Britney Spears is reportedly determined to be "taken seriously in her career".

The singer recently split from her fiancé Jason Trawick and there were fears that might see her have another meltdown, as she did in 2008.

She was seen looking dishevelled following the break up, with reports her mother Lynne had warned her she needed to make more effort with her appearance. Britney has now dyed her hair brown and has been seen looking polished – even during a recent trip to the beach with her sons.

She is apparently determined to make a fresh start and concentrate on getting back to her best.

"Britney has listened to her mom's advice. She really wants to be taken seriously in her career and not let things spiral out of control again," an insider told Heat magazine. "All of her affairs are handled by either her lawyers or by her dad Jamie. Changing her hair colour may seem trivial, but it's the one thing she has total say over."

Britney has been under a conservatorship order since her previous problems, meaning a team make all her decisions for her.

It's thought as part of her mission to move on she has begun dating a researcher called David Lucado, with the pair enjoying several days out.

"Dating David and dyeing her hair is a sign that Britney wants a fresh start," the source explained.

Britney appeared as a judge on the US X Factor last year, but quit to concentrate on making new music.