People in Mevagissey are used to hearing tourists mispronouncing the name of the fishing village, but they were somewhat surprised to see a new sign this week which has altered its spelling. Locals have been sharing photos of new signs on the South West Coast Path in the area due to mistakes on the new wooden posts.

In Mevagissey one sign has spelt the village name as “Mavagissey” whilst others in the Mevagissey and St Austell bay area have wrong distances on them or are pointing in the wrong direction.

The signs had been commissioned by Cormac, Cornwall Council’s wholly owned company, which has since apologised for the error and is said to be taking action to correct the signs.

James Mustoe, Cornwall councillor for Mevagissey and St Austell Bay, said: “It was brought to my attention over the past weekend – there have been some issues with spelling and directional accuracy on new coastal path signs installed in the Mevagissey and St Austell Bay area.

“I contacted Cormac immediately and met with them. They have apologised for the mistakes and are taking urgent action to correct them.”

One sign in Carlyon Bay is said to direct people to Crinnis Beach and Trenarren, but the Trenarren sign is pointing in the opposite direction of that location, indeed Black Head at Trenarren is clearly visible away from the signpost.

Another erected in Par indicates that Par Beach is half a mile away with Charlestown also half a mile away. Yet, Charlestown is actually more like three and a half miles away.

In a statement Cornwall Council said: “We are aware that three of the signposts installed as part of our coastal access works have incorrect information on the sign plates. These signs have now been removed and will be replaced with signs carrying the correct information.

“The signs are part of a programme of works to deliver physical improvements at more than 100 locations on the South West Coast Path in Cornwall as part of the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009).”