Hi just bought an escort 1.6 16v p reg 57k on clock....

The query is that it is a little rough when its cold..... its a bit tappety and rough..... after bout 5 mins driving its fine... silent and smooth....

any ideas what could be doing this or is it just common in zetecs?

 

It sounds as though it is suffering sticky tappet syndrome, put some wynns engine flush in there, and here it get quiet within a few miles, worth a try has nearly always worked for me.
Make sure it is on the correct 5/W30 oil as these are very sensitive to oil, but I would change it anyway(+ filter) after you have run some engine cleaner through there, you are quite safe to leave in for a few weeks, I do rather than 10 minutes that it says on bottle.
tabetha