Phone firm Vodafone has admitted publishing the phone numbers and addresses of thousands of people who wanted to be ex-directory – by mistake.

The company blames both technical and human failings for the fact that over 90,000 numbers have been inclued in paper and electronic phone books, and included in number information service listings.

The error concerns private individuals and small firms, the Volkskrant reports.

The information has since been removed from the digital phone book and number information services such as 1888. However, some 30,000 clients may find their details have been included in the printed phone directory.

The company has written to all clients apologising for the error and offering them a free number switch.