Lady Gaga has sparked controversy after launching a Twitter campaign which seems to suggest that her followers should buy multiple copies of new single Applause.

As part of the competition, Gaga is offering fans the chance to fly to the iTunes festival in London where they will meet the star.

Gaga tweeted: "Screenshot your 'Applause' purchase @ladygaga request to radio, & hashtag #Applause well choose 2 devoted fans to go WITH me to iTunes fest!"

She later added: "The 2 fans with the most purchase/gift screenshots, radio requests, 'Applause' selfies/video, will fly international to meet me+watch the show!"

The implication that fans need to buy multiple copies in order to win has angered many and it has been claimed that some fans have spent over $300 (£194) on the track to be in with a better chance of winning.

Billboard have also confirmed that multiple purchases of the single will all count towards the track’s placing in the charts which has left some accusing Gaga of artificially inflating the track’s supposed popularity.

Gaga herself has denied claims that she is expecting fans to purchase the track many times, responding to one fan who claimed they weren’t rice enough to do so by saying: "that's ok! Radio request, creative videos and applause # count too!

"The TechHaus will collect your data as it feeds through Twitter, & remember it's not just about purchases, we will choose creative monsters!"

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