A lorry driver leaving Totnes took a scenic detour across the South Hams last week, when his satnav directed him to Salcombe on the way to the M5.

The driver arrived into town on the A381 at lunchtime on Thursday, June 22, and proceeded to follow the one-way system onto Bennett Road. The driver made it down the increasingly narrow road to the Harbour Hotel, where he was fortunate enough to bump into a party from Salcombe Town Council.

Town mayor Cllr Mike Fice, deputy mayor Cllr Nikki Turton and town clerk Gill Claydon had been attending a meeting at the hotel when they saw the “puzzled” driver asking a visitor for directions.

Cllr Fice said: “I explained to him that there was no way he was going to get down Bennett Road and up Newton Road, so I advised him to reverse back to the main road.”

The town council trio then helped to stop the traffic and direct the lorry back up the hill to the Sandhills Road – Devon Road junction, where he was able to turn around and continue his journey towards the motorway.

Spokesman for Salcombe Town Council, Cllr Richard Whitfield said: “Once again a satnav has been followed blindly, leading to chaos on Bennett Road. The articulated lorry driver was faced with quite a conundrum on how to get out of the pickle he found himself in!

“Thank you to everyone delayed by this incident for your patience.”