Road sign blunders see Saxilby and Thorpe on the Hill renamed

A sign installed on the A46 Lincoln bypass directed motorists towards "Saxibily"

Red-faced highways officials have apologised after misspelt road signs directing motorists to non-existent villages were installed on a bypass.

A new sign for Saxilby - spotted on the A46 in Lincoln - said "Saxibily", while another nearby for Thorpe on the Hill read "Thrope on the Hill".

A picture of the Saxilby blunder was posted on social media, prompting much mirth among local residents.

One person said they heard the "chippy does a lovely steak and kiddley pie".

"I wonder if they have 'a bus spot' too?," said another.

Some suggested it was "a Friday afternoon job", while another simply wrote: "Ooops".

The new sign for Thorpe on the Hill read "Thrope on the Hill"

Highways England said it was aware of the mistakes and was "taking steps to get these corrected".

Programme development manager Karen Moore added: "We're sorry for any confusion this might have caused motorists."

Saxilby's name means "farmstead of a man named Saksulfr"

Saxilby's Viking name means "farmstead of a man named Saksulfr".

The village also lays claim to the oldest canal in England, the Foss Dyke, built by the Romans around 100 AD.