“Whether it’s Kylie presenting an award at The Brits last month or Heather Mills McCartney arriving at court for her recent high-profile divorce case, lime green is fast becoming the colour for Spring 2008,” a stylish 3 press release said.

“And following hot on its heels is the new lime and white Sony Ericsson K660i, available exclusively on 3”

3 said this was a far cry from the late 80s and throughout the 90s, when phones came in a selection of blacks, greys and silvers.

“But suddenly mobile handsets are matching the ever changing world of fashion for colour – and in some cases even beating it to the high street,” 3 said.

John Penberthy-Smith, 3’s marketing director, said the days of mobile phones being simply about functions and features were gone.

“Handsets are increasingly viewed as fashion accessories, and customers are looking for models in purple, lime green or whatever the next big fashion colour is likely to be,” he said.

The new lime and white Sony Ericsson K660i launches exclusively with 3 on Monday.