DESPITE previous attempts by high street chains to sell property proving unsuccessful, supermarket group Asda is to provide an estate agency service through its stores.

Asda will advertise properties for sale on touch-screen terminals which will allow potential buyers to register their interest. Staff will then call the customer to arrange viewings.

Homes @ Supermarkets, as it will initially be called, will be run from a central office in Northumberland, where it will employ estate agents, surveyors, conveyancers and call-centre staff to manage the sales. All contact will via email or telephone.

However, the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) is doubtful as to whether Asda's service will work.

Peter Bolton King, the NAEA's chief executive, stated other businesses had tried and failed to launch similar ventures in the 1980s, before the advent of the internet.

He said: "Generally the supermarkets have left this area of the business alone. I think they probably had better things to make money on.

"The answer as to whether it will work or not will all depend on the service offered by this central hub."

The scheme will be trialled in 10 stores in Sunderland during the summer but could be offered nationwide by the end of the year if successful.