A new road sign with a spelling error at a major junction has been branded an "embarrassment" and an "unprofessional mistake".

The huge sign erected at the new traffic-light controlled junction from Waterbrook Avenue in Ashford mistakenly labels the area of Newtown as "Newton".

It was installed as part of major upgrades to the road layout, which has seen the former Orbital Park roundabout on the A2070 replaced with four-way lights.

The works have been subject to several delays and have so far taken 10 months, although are expected to be completed this month.

Speaking about the spelling error, Cllr Andy Rogers, borough council ward member for Aylesford and East Stour (Ashford Independents), feels the "unprofessional mistake" is "disrespectful" for the people of Newtown who have already had to put up with so much disruption.

"This is something that would have been signed off, how they got it this wrong I don't know," he said.

"It’s quite clearly unacceptable.

"Residents in Newtown in particular feel like the area is always left out when they are a great community.

"To have that much disruption, with the works, it's just an embarrassment.

"I’m going to take it up with National Highways and ideally the sign should be replaced, not just patched up.

"When you think of the cost that has gone into the project too, it’s a lot of money and disruption, it's a shame they got it wrong."

Motorist and Repton Park resident Stewart Monk drives along the A2070 most days to get to his work near Mersham.

When he saw the sign, the 43-year-old said: "There have been so many delays and they still can’t even get the sign correct.

"Newtown is not that hard.

"It’s ridiculous they got that wrong and they can’t even get the date right as to when the works are finishing.

"Perhaps they’re renaming it after Isaac Newton, but he was a genius and they are clearly not."

There was another spelling mistake on temporary road signs that were put up directing drivers into Finberry through the works.

Avocet way was instead labelled "Advocet way" on signs that have since been removed.

National Highways, the body responsible for the sign, says it is working to fix the error as soon as possible.

A spokesman said: "We are aware of the misspelled Newtown road sign on the A2070 and thank people for bringing it to our attention.

"We are working with our contractors on how to rectify this error and will also look into how the incorrect spelling on the sign escaped quality control checks with our contractors."

A Crest Nicholson spokesman said: “We are aware of the misspelling on the sign, which was caused by a human error during the printing process, and it is being replaced tomorrow.”