Celebrity Gossip's

Britney Spears was caught romping in the bushes of her rehab center with a mystery man.

The troubled singer played a game of tennis with the unnamed man, who is also receiving treatment at Malibu's Promises clinic, before they disappeared together.

The pair were later found frolicking in the foliage, of the grounds and had to be separated by security staff.

A source told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "Britney and her new male friend decided to play a game of tennis. Britney is allowed a little more freedom now she's been in the centre a while.

"The next thing they had sneaked off into the bushes and were getting pretty passionate. They weren't actually having sex but there was definitely some groping. We had to step in to separate them.

"They were told off. They're in rehab and relationships between vulnerable people aren't really encouraged."

This is the second time Britney, 25, has been romantically linked with someone she has met at rehab.

Last week, it was reported that Britney was growing "very close" with rock guitarist Jason Filyaw, who she met at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

The 33-year-old rocker claimed he and the shaven-haired singer had "found love" since meeting again in rehab. The pair had met once before in 2003 when they recorded some music together.

Britney checked into the centre last month and is believed to be being treated for alcoholism.