Windows Phone 7 smartphones will be available from 21 October in Spain according to sources "familiar with the matter".

elEconomista.es, a Spanish financial website is claiming that just 10 days after the global launch Vodafone, Orange and MoviStar will start selling the phones to those who want to embrace the new operating system from Microsoft.

LG, HTC, and Samsung will have launch handsets according to the website, with Dell and  Toshiba, so far a company that hasn't been tipped as having a Windows Phone 7 handset, shortly afterwards.

While it doesn't give us a UK or US availability date, it does give us further confirmation that Microsoft and its partners are looking to get handsets in store as quickly as possible after the global launch, details of which Pocket-lint exclusively broke earlier in the month.

Our own sources are suggesting that handset makers will have stock in the country before the end of October in the UK and the US.

UPDATE: Neowin is now reporting that the UK will also be getting handsets in the UK on the 21 October.

"According to sources familiar with the software giants plans, Microsoft will hold several launch events worldwide on October 21 to introduce its latest Windows Phone 7 handsets. Microsoft is planning to hold an open house event in New York City on October 11 where it plans to show off some of the new devices. Devices will hit retail shelves on October 21 in the UK, France, Germany Italy and Spain. Neowin is unable to verify whether devices will be available in the United States on October 21."

"Microsoft is planning to partner with a big London based radio station in the UK to promote Windows Phone 7. Orange, a long time Windows Mobile partner of Microsoft's, is also expected to be a close launch partner for Windows Phone 7. If you thought you'd heard a lot about Windows Phone 7 recently then prepare to be bombarded with a major advertising blitz from Microsoft shortly. The Redmond based company is planning to go all out on Windows Phone 7 marketing."

Which handset are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below.