THE name of one of England’s most celebrated authors has been spelt incorrectly on a road sign directing visitors to her former home.

A member of the public spotted the mistake on the sign, which was erected around three weeks ago at a junction near Chawton, and a photo of the error was sent to Jane Austen’s House Museum.

Mary Gyatt, curator at the museum, in Chawton, said: “I find it funny because Austen herself spelled things quite differently.

“But as Hampshire’s literary genius, Jane Austen’s name is something that should be right.”

The museum has been in touch with Hampshire County Council about the mistake, and has been told it will be rectified shortly.

A sign next to the one for the museum also contains an error, with the nearby village of Selborne also spelt incorrectly.

Louise Payne, communications officer at Hampshire County Council, said: “It’s an error on our part for which we apologise. We thank the public for bringing it to our attention.

“We have been in communication with our signing contractor who will look to get the sign corrected as soon as possible.”