A CHISWICK-based estate agents have moved speedily this week to head off a major PR disaster after motorists condemned their latest marketing ploy as a parking faux pas.

Directors at Foxtons, which recently opened a new shop at the Chiswick Park development, acted swiftly to allay fears their reps are taking over the tiny streets off the High Road with their brand new fleet of Mini Coopers.

Residents in Silver Crescent described a mini epidemic'' after waking to find scores of the small cars blocking vital parking spots - and were incensed to find the cars, decked out in the Foxtons brand, were legally entitled to take up as many spaces as possible.

But sensing a mini disaster on their hands, senior directors issued an apology on a local website claiming to have dealt with the problem''.

They followed this up by assuring the Times that although there are plans to expand the fleet of advertising cars up to as many as 400 vehicles, they will continue to listen to residents in a bid to minimise the disruption caused.

The fiasco began when one resident stated recently on the view over Silver Crescent: What a beautiful sight in the morning when I pull open my bedroom curtains and see half a dozen minis like giant Scalextric cars lined up hustling for positions to park.''

But what began as a small moan soon escalated into a full-scale row as more residents came forward with tales of woe at the hands of the parking space-gobbling minis.

Foxtons' plan included purchasing 200 of the classic cars and assigning them to workers as a mobile advertisement for the company which has ten offices across the capital.

It backfired spectacularly in Chiswick, however, with a number of residents lodging complaints and desperately searching for legalities with which to rid themselves of the unwanted visitors.

Although they were informed there was nothing which could be done as long as the vehicles complied with tax and insurance guidelines, senior management at the estate agents responded to the problem.

Peter Rollings, the company's managing director, said: We were informed of the feelings of residents living in the area and listened to what they had to say and dealt with the problem.

The minis weren't for staff at the shop in Chiswick but are used for our datagraphers', who tour the area surveying properties.''

The datagraphers' are apparently responsible for collecting information on every property in Foxtons' portfolio. They take pictures, measurements and list every detail of a property and then return to the office to input the information on a computer database.

This is when the problems happened,'' Mr Rollings explained. There was no problem during the morning or afternoon until 4pm when the guys came back to the office.

I understand the views of the residents and after some fraught discussions with a number of people living in the area we're being more cautious about where people park.''

He added: I guess you have to take the rough with the smooth. We're expanding across London with this venture, but hopefully will not cause any more problems for the residents of Chiswick.''