Vodafone offers Storm free in U.K. with 2-yr plan

TORONTO, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Vodafone (VOD.L) said on Friday it was offering the BlackBerry Storm smartphone free to customers in Britain willing to sign a two-year contract -- a move that could brighten the outlook for sales of the new device.

"The BlackBerry Storm pricing will start from free on a two year contract at 35 pounds ($56.35) per month on a Best for Text plan that will include 600 minutes and unlimited texts," Vodafone said in a release on its website.

The BlackBerry Storm is produced by Canadian firm Research In Motion (RIM.TO), whose shares rose C$3.17 Friday to C$61.02 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Vodafone is the world's biggest mobile phone company by revenue. (Reporting by Richard Valdmanis; editing by Rob Wilson)