Leona Lewis feared for her life after being caught up in the middle of gun-wielding criminals.

The 'Bleeding Love' singer was left 'shaking like a leaf' after she stopped for coffee in Los Angeles with her manager Nicola Carson and entourage and ended up in the midst of a police chase and arrest.

She is quoted by the Daily Mirror newspaper as telling a friend: 'It was really frightening. One minute we were stopping for drinks, the next there was police and guns everywhere. It came completely out of the blue and was absolutely terrifying.

'I really thought the guys might start shooting. I was shaking like a leaf afterwards.'

The 24-year-old star and her team had stopped to visit a Starbucks coffee shop whilst on their way to Los Angeles' LAX Airport.

The group had just pulled over when a car – which had been involved in a high-speed chase with police - screeched to a halt next to them and two men with handguns came running past. Nicola had just climbed out the vehicle and Leona was close behind her.

As the drama unfolded, the singer's security team quickly forced her back into the car for her own safety.

A source said: "Two men brandishing guns jumped out of their car, right next to Leona's. Armed cops, who had been in hot pursuit, captured them. But in the chaos bystanders were also sent flying.

"Leona had been locked in her car by her security team and had to watch as her manager was thrown on to the floor."

The officers quickly arrested their suspects and the singer – after speaking to the police – continued on her way to the airport and made her flight.