A council has apologised after a temporary ‘Dead End’ sign was placed next to a road leading to a cemetery.

The “unfortunate” placement of the sign on a street corner had caused a stir in the market town of Wimborne, Dorset.

Given that there are road works and closures in the area, it was originally thought to be the doing of a local prankster.

However, Dorset Council have now confirmed that the sign next to Cemetery Road was put there intentionally by one of their workers.

It said the sign had been fitted following concerns raised by residents of a separate road, Blind Lane.

The residents said a road closure relating to a nearby housing development scheme had led to their lane being used as a shortcut, when it has no through access.

This had then resulted in drivers having to perform a u-turn in a narrow section of the lane.

Cemetery Road leads to Wimborne Cemetery, which is the final resting place for 44 fallen soldiers from both of the World Wars.

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: "The sign was installed in response to concerns from residents of Blind Lane, who reported that drivers were attempting to use the lane as a shortcut to avoid the current closure on Stone Lane, related to the nearby housing development scheme.

"Blind Lane has no through access and drivers were having to turn around in a narrow section of the lane.

“While the positioning of the temporary sign has created an unfortunate combination, it was placed there with the best intentions to provide practical information to drivers.

"We are sorry for any offence or upset this has caused."

Several passing motorists and residents took to social media to poke fun at the sign placement.

One Facebook user, Jon Perry, posted an image of the sign on a motorists group alongside the caption: “Cracking sign placement by Dorset council.”

"They have a skeleton staff too,” Alan Galliott commented, while Eileen Richardson said: "Appropriately named."

Meanwhile, on another Facebook group, Bernie Head posted the same image, writing: “Motorists beware we have roadworks in Wimborne well placed sign.”