Record label Sony has apologised for increasing the price of two Whitney Houston albums just hours after her death, saying it was a mistake. The wholesale cost of the two LPs – Houston’s Ultimate Collection and Greatest Hits went up by about 3 pounds each, causing an automatic price increase on iTunes, the Telegraph reported.

In a statement, Sony said the albums had been mistakenly mispriced.

It added that the error was immediately corrected once it had been discovered. Houston fans had taken to Twitter describing the price hike as greedy and shameful.

Since Houston’s death, her record sales have seen a major boost in the US and the UK. The price hike may have cost Houston the number one spot in the album charts this weekend.

According to the Official Chart Company, Houston’s ‘The Greatest Hits’ album was at number seven in the midweek sales chart.

Several of her songs are on course to re-enter the UK singles top 40 on Sunday with a greatest hits compilation heading for the top 10.

Houston’s cover of the Dolly Parton single, I Will Always Love You, is likely to reach the top 10 on Sunday.