Denise Richards has launched a court battle to block her children from visiting their father Charlie Sheen, claiming there are "serious issues" in the actor's home that could be damaging to them.

The former Bond girl and her lawyer Neal Hersh called an emergency hearing in Los Angeles on Thursday to discuss the matter. It's the latest leg of a bitter and drawn out custody battle between the former husband and wife.

Richards and Sheen are expected back in court to resolve the latest issue next week.

Speaking outside the court Hersh said, "These are serious issues regarding the children. I would hope we will be graced by Charlie Sheen's presence in court on Monday - if he takes these matters seriously regarding his children, like Denise does."

No further details were available as this went to press.

Richards and Sheen - parents to three-year-old Sam and Lola, two - have been feuding in public and private since their split in 2005.

Earlier this year Sheen attempted to block his ex-wife from including their daughters in her reality TV show, Denise Richards: It's Complicated.

-Denise Richards Pictures
-Charlie Sheen Pictures

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)