Records show Britney's UK links

Love her or hate her, Britney Spears is more Brit than we first thought, with newly-released records proving her links to the UK.

Spears' great-grandfather, George Portell, was married at a church in Tottenham in 1923, the records on Ancestry.co.uk show.

A collection of records detailing the rich history of London and its inhabitants over 400 years is available on the genealogy website, and also contain information about Samuel Pepys, Oliver Cromwell and William Blake.

Other ancestors of modern-day celebrities feature in the collection: David Beckham, JK Rowling and Patsy Kensit can all find family members in the London Historical Records.

Documents available on the site include Parish Registers, School Admission records, Diocesan Divorce Exhibita and even Non-Conformist Registers, detailing those who didn't worship at established churches between 1694 and 1921.

Josh Hanna, of Ancestry.co.uk said: "We estimate that half of Brits will be able to find an ancestor in this collection, which pre-dates civil registration and censuses, and documents the history of a great city and its people, their birth, poverty, fortunes, faith, education, marriage and death.

"No city in modern history other than London can claim to have been the capital of such a far reaching empire, which really is why this collection is of such significance not only to Brits, but also to many others around the world with ancestral ties back to England," he continued.

Access to Ancestry.co.uk costs from £6.95 per month if you sign up to an annual membership. Alternatively, you can join for one month for the cost of £10.95.