Britney Spears has topped the US digital songs chart with her first single in three years.

Gimme More posted 179,000 downloads for its first week of release.

It also shot straight to number three on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

It's the pop star's first major ranking since debut single, Baby One More Time peaked at number one in 1999.

The success comes in contrast to her comeback on the MTV Video Music Awards which was widely panned by critics.

Her album, titled Blackout, is released next month.

Meanwhile, the singer's ex-husband Kevin Federline was recently awarded sole custody of sons Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, one.

She was granted monitored visitation rights instead.

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