Rail travellers have been left directionless after a council mistake pointed to a sign of the times in Dorchester.

Dorset County Council admitted it made an error when it put up a new sign on the road for pedestrians, directing travellers to 'Dorchester East' railway station.

The council replaced the sign at the Great Western Cross traffic lights when it overhauled the junction as part of the town's transport improvement project.

The sign is of course meant to state Dorchester South station and is for the benefit of passengers crossing the town after alighting at Dorchester West.

Rail campaigner Terry Putnam said: "Has Dorchester got a new station? Visitors to the town may think so after seeing this sign."

He added: "I couldn't believe it when I saw it. It's totally misleading and confusing for those people crossing between the stations."

Dorset County Council was alerted to the error on Friday and says it is in the process of replacing the sign.

A county council spokesman said: “Hands up, it was our mistake. We replaced a small pedestrian direction sign with the wrong wording.

"We’ve already ordered a sign with the correct station name and will fit it as soon as possible.”