COUNCIL chiefs have been left red-faced after signs erected around their roadworks mis-took Darwen, Lancashire, for Darwin, Australia.

Signs heralding the start of roadworks under Darwen Street Bridge, Blackburn, carry the message that the work is being carried out for 'Blackburn with Darwin.'

The roadworks are part of a multi-million pound project to create a new orbital route around the town centre.

It is hoped the new road network will lead to less congestion in the town centre, making it a more attractive place for people to shop.

But Coun Paul Browne, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said the signs simply made the council look stupid.

He said: "The least you could expect the council to do when checking up on the roadworks is to make sure the signs are accurate.

"It is just making the council a laughing stock. The roadworks are already causing a nightmare for absolutely everyone.

"At least people get a smile now. But how embarrassing."

He added: "To be honest, this sort of thing doesn't surprise me.

"I have received memos from council officers who actually work for the borough and spell Darwen with an I. It is ridiculous."

Bemused traders in Darwen Street contacted the Lancashire Evening Telegraph when they saw they sign.

Ronnie O'Keefe, chairman of the Chamber of Trade, said: "It speaks volumes and demonstrates that the council has taken too much on.

"It hasn't the staff to monitor all the projects on the go at the moment. If it had, this would have been spotted straightaway.

"We have problems like this right across the town. The council is not in control of the works it has commissioned."

Graham Burgess, Executive Director for Regeneration and Technical Services, said: "The mis-spelling of Darwen on the roadwork signs was a simple error made by the contractors who are carrying out the work on behalf of the Council.

"As soon as the mistake came to our attention we instructed the contractor to correct it.

"New signage will be up as soon as possible. We would like to apologise for any upset or confusion caused."