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An estate agent has decided to change its name from ‘iSiS’ to distance itself from the Jihadist terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Founded 10 years ago, the award-winning iSiS Residential Homes in Staines chose the name after the term used for the south eastern part of the River Thames and the Egyptian Goddess of family.

But the firm, which is moving into larger premises in Clarence Street in the new year, will rebrand to OASiS as it looks to open outlets in other areas.

Managing director Steven Harvey said in an age where the internet is key, escaping the connection was going to be difficult.

“We, like most, have watched the actions of Islamic State in the middle east unfold with shock and revulsion,” he said.

“As a company that regrettably shares a historic term of reference with this group, the public connection, however tenuous, has caused us much anguish.

“Fortunately, as a long established local brand our business has not suffered any noticeable impact.”

Since the terrorist group – which is also known as Islamic State of Iraq and Levant – has been dominating international headlines from April 2013, the firm has sought feedback from its clients and industry figures which it says has had the ‘overall feeling that to change our name was almost pandering to terror’.

“It is because of our success and support locally that we felt confident enough to weather the media storm, especially as ISIS as a definition has been superseded by IS and ISIL in April 2013,” said Mr Harvey.

“As the actions of ISIS become ever more desperate, ignoring the association in the hope that the media moves on is no longer an option, regardless of our personal sentiments.

“While we had no intention of changing our name, a natural stage in our business life cycle affords us the opportunity to adjust our name as part of our planned expansion.

“While the journey in reaching this decision has been a distracting one, now we are here we know it is the right decision and it enables us to concentrate on what we do best – selling and letting homes.”