Vodafone customers in Ireland have complained that the mobile phone company is spamming their friends.

As part of a competition to win a €3,000 skiing trip customers have been asked to enter the email addresses of three friends who would accompany them on the holiday.

But according to one Vodafone customer: "Shortly afterwards myself, and the three friends received email...from myself…advertising Vodafone.

"It looked like I was now working for Vodafone and trying to advertise for them. It's a bit much," he said.

A spokeswoman for Vodafone Ireland that the email was merely a confirmation notice that they had been included into the competition, although she admitted that it also included an advert for one of the company's services.

She added that everything was above board as set out in the Ts&Cs.

She reassured those taking part that Vodafone was not harvesting these emails and they would not be used for any other marketing initiatives. ®