New York - Circus, the new album by Britney Spears is to be released on December 2, the pop-star's 27th birthday, her record label Jive said.

After a mental breakdown earlier this year, Spears is well on her way towards a comeback, only seven months after she lost control of her assets and her father stepped in as conservator. She also ended the custody battle for her two boys with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

At the MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, Britney went home with three awards, among them video of the year for the single Piece of Me from her most recent album, Blackout.

The first single from Circus, titled Womanizer, will be released on September 22, produced by Atlanta-based The Outsyders.

Also working with Britney, who sold 62 million records in her career, is Guy Sigsworth, who works with Madonna, Alanis Morisette and Bjork. (dpa)