The road to nowhere - at least that is how it looks to the villagers of Woodham Walter.

After months of waiting for fingerpost signs in the village to be refurbished, they have now got them - minus any directions.

Mark Durham, chairman of the parish council, said the situation has exasperated everyone.

"Apart from the amusing side, it is very annoying. We have been pressing for them for so long and been told by the county council's highways department they will do it. Now they have, but they are completely blank.

"People do not know which way to go and must be tearing their hair out. It is outrageous that such a little job can take so long to do."

A mystery joker has written Maldon District Council Signwriting Department on one arm of the blank fingerpost at the Ulting end of the village, while the word Anchor - directing people to the village pub - has been written on the other.

A spokesman at Essex County Council admitted that they were embarrassed by the blunder, and were hoping to sort out the problem as soon a possible.

"We ordered all the signs for the whole district in one go, but embarrassingly, the contractors lost the order for these particular signs so we have had to reorder them.

"We are waiting to hear when they will be supplied."

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