Posted on September 05, 2008 by Fiona Hilliard

A UK publicity stunt by computer games makers Electronic Arts backfired badly when their free petrol giveaway resulted in gridlock with roads leading up to a petrol garage in north London becoming clogged as drivers queued to get free petrol.

EA decorated the Last Stop garage between Stroud Green and Finsbury Park with military camouflage material and parked an army jeep at the forecourt.

The marketing drive began at 6.30am this morning but caused chaos as rush hour started.  Over 40 cars queued into the garage as more and more people searched for their free £40 (€28) fill-up.

Drivers who got caught in the congestion, sounded their horns in frustration as they moved (very slowly) past the queuing cars.