Kidman quits Australia after row with paparazzi

Nicole Kidman has clashed with photographers who have been trying to capture pictures of her and her husband Keith Urban in Australia.

Furious Kidman told one paparazzi to "f**k off" as she drove to her holiday home near Sydney at the weekend.

The actress asked police to protect her from harassment and then cut short her Australian holiday to fly back to Los Angeles early yesterday.

Kidman's outburst came as she claimed local freelance photographer Jamie Fawcett had been a constant presence during her holiday near Bateman's Bay. The actress, 39, has recently been reunited with country music star Urban, also 39, after he entered treatment for alcoholism.

But after the clash with Fawcett the couple went to her sister's home in suburban Sydney and then left for Los Angeles on a private jet.

Kidman complained to police that Fawcett had endangered her and others with his driving while following her. Fawcett's lawyers are due to appear at a Sydney court this month over allegations that he was linked to bugging Kidman's Darling Point home last year. Fawcett emphatically denies any involvement.

Batemans Bay police inspector Gary Megay confirmed the couple had been offered extra protection.