You may notice something a bit different if you are hailing a cab in London this year.

Countrywide brand Hamptons International has launched its own branded taxis in celebration of its 150th birthday.

The fleet comes in three colours, blue, gold and white, and includes the birthday slogan ‘Moving together since 1869’.

The vehicles will also be making guest appearances at a number of company events including the two annual country Roadshows, the Chelsea Flower Show, and Open Garden Squares Weekend.

It all forms part of the firm’s wider celebrations to mark its 150 years in estate agency.

So far this year Hamptons International has pledged to give each member of staff their birthday off, as well as unveiling a pledge to sell or let the 150th property of the year for free.

Hamptons International is also launching  Project Planet, which aims to look at ways the business can make a positive contribution the environment.

It will start by calculating and offsetting all carbon emissions produced by the branded taxis.

Lesley Cairns, managing director of Hamptons International, said: “We couldn’t be happier with our branded taxis and look forward to seeing them in action around the capital.

“London’s black cabs are part of our capital’s great heritage, and with a history of 150 years in the property industry Hamptons International are very proud to promote our big anniversary year on the iconic London cab, recognised worldwide.”

The estate agency business, headed by George Hampton, opened its doors in 1869 with an office in Pall Mall and eight members of staff.

Following a bombing raid during the First World War the site then moved to the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery and it also added an auction house in the 1920s that sold The Mauritania luxury liner, which was the sister ship to the Titanic.

Its agency offices moved to the former French embassy building on Arlington Street in 1936, and in the 1950s the estate agency separated from the parent company when a partnership was formed by the founder’s grandson.

During the 1980s there was a period of expansion and acquisition, culminating in Hamptons being bought by Bristol & West Building Society.

It was later purchased by Cluttons London Residential Agency in 1996 and then Wheelock Properties (Singapore) in 2005  and Emaar Properties a year later before being acquired by Countrywide in 2010.

Hamptons now has a network of over 90 offices in London and the south of England employing more than 1,000 members of staff.