Britney Spears - Spears' Uncle In Rehab - Report

BRITNEY SPEARS' uncle is fighting to stay sober after a late summer stint in rehab, according to new U.S. reports.

Austin Spears, the brother of the pop star's father Jamie, reportedly checked into the Cri-Help clinic in North Hollywood - the same facility his brother entered in 2004 to beat his addictions to alcohol and prescription drugs.

And America's National Enquirer claims his famous niece was largely responsible for persuading her favourite uncle to seek help, calling him up in August (09) and convincing him to let one of her bodyguards take him to rehab.

A source tells the tabloid, "Austin is still in rehab, but he's on his way to sobriety. Britney is thrilled to have helped him."