Claims that a block of luxury apartments in Purley have not yet sold because its name has put off potential buyers have been dismissed by the estate agent trying to sell them.

Reports in national newspapers last week claimed that the development's name of West Purley Gate could be a reason why not one of the 13 apartments have sold in the eight months since they were put on the market.

It is believed that elderly buyers may have been put off living in a development which shares its name with the entrance to heaven' Pearly Gates.

It was reported that the developers a consortium of private partners were considering changing the name to boost sales but this has been dismissed by Purley estate agent Bairstow Eves, which is trying to sell the flats at an average of £320,000 each.

A spokesman said: "The whole story is untrue. We've had so many calls about this.

"For a start, they are not retirement flats. You just have to look at the development to see that. And the developers are not considering changing the name."

It is unclear exactly why the properties have not yet sold, but some believe the location might be a factor.

One resident, who did not want to be named, suggested the location may be off-putting. She said: "It's on an extremely busy, noisy road junction. I'm not sure I'd pay that much to live among so much traffic."