CYRUS BANNED FROM BEING FRIENDS WITH LOHAN

Singer/actress MILEY CYRUS has been banned by her parents from hanging out with LINDSAY LOHAN, because they fear she's a bad influence.

The pair met at the Academy Awards on Sunday (24Feb08), and former teen starlet Lohan offered the Hannah Montana star her number.

But American tabloid the National Enquirer claims Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus forced the 15-year-old to delete it, fearing 21-year-old Lohan - who spent time in rehab last year (07) for alcohol abuse - sets a bad example.

And the ban is sure to rile Cyrus, who recently complained she is lonely because her parents refuse to let her hang out with friends they don't approve of.

She said, "They're protective for sure. My mom is more strict than my dad.

"You want to keep your close circle of friends. And sometimes my mom is saying, 'I have a bad vibe about this person. She needs to hang out with you when I'm around just to keep you safe.'

"I need more friends. Its kind of like my quest right now just to have more true friends."