It may look like this road sign is pointing walkers in the direction of the road to nowhere but not all is as it seems...

The sign in Hanover Place - next to Abbey Lane - is designed to guide people towards the footpath through the gates into the Audley End estate.

Saffron Walden Reporter: The footpath sign towards Audley End Estate at Hanover Place, Abbey Lane, Saffron WaldenThe footpath sign towards Audley End Estate at Hanover Place, Abbey Lane, Saffron Walden (Image: Andra Maciuca)

Richard Atkinson, who regularly walks past the sign said: "Apart from Harry Potter and students from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it might be best not to follow this Saffron Walden footpath sign."

Saffron Walden Reporter: The footpath sign towards Audley End Estate at Hanover Place, Abbey Lane, Saffron WaldenThe footpath sign towards Audley End Estate at Hanover Place, Abbey Lane, Saffron Walden (Image: Andra Maciuca)

However, an Essex County Council spokesperson said the sign does point in the general direction of travel walkers should go, which is through the gate.

Saffron Walden Reporter: The footpath sign towards Audley End Estate at Hanover Place, Abbey Lane, Saffron WaldenThe footpath sign towards Audley End Estate at Hanover Place, Abbey Lane, Saffron Walden (Image: Andra Maciuca)

He added: "The reason the sign has to slightly point at the wall is we cannot position the sign closer to the road for safety reasons, so we rely on a general understanding for walkers to travel in the general direction indicated by the sign."

Saffron Walden Reporter: The footpath sign towards Audley End Estate at Hanover Place, Abbey Lane, Saffron WaldenThe footpath sign towards Audley End Estate at Hanover Place, Abbey Lane, Saffron Walden (Image: Andra Maciuca)