The roads are on the new homes development off Howard de Walden Way and are intended as a tributes to Classic winning jockey and trainer Dick Perryman, who rode three 1000 Guineas winners and trained Airborne to win the 1946 Derby and St Leger, and Lady Beaverbrook, whose colours were carried with distinction by a host of top class horses, including St Leger winners Bustino and Minster Son and Petoski – winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

But the names of both those honoured have been incorrectly spelled by Forest Heath Council – one on an already erected sign for Periman Close and the other on council plans – Beavorbrook Road.

The mistakes were spotted by long-time Newmarket resident Tony Pringle, who is set to move to nearby Engelhard Road – named after the owner of the legendary racehorse Nijinsky – as he was looking at plans of the development.

"Once again, the town of Newmarket, it seems, must live with the inefficiencies of its administration," said Mr Pringle.

He has also quizzed Newmarket Town Council, which took his complaint to Forest Heath Council, the authority which gives the final approval to street names across the district and had approved the incorrectly spelled signs.

Mr Pringle, who is calling for the mistakes to be rectified, said that he could not see the point of having roads named as a tribute to the town's racing legends if the names of the road signs were not spelled correctly.

A spokeswoman for Forest Heath said the mistake in Beaverbrook could be corrected as the road sign had not yet been put up, but it was too late for Periman Close to be altered as it would mean a change of address for residents.

Editor's note: Surely the council has to see sense on this one and make the necessary corrections.

It is not being asked to change a street name – simply spell an existing one correctly. It is entirely appropriate that, in the headquarters of horseracing, those who have been part of Newmarket's rich racing heritage, should be honoured through street naming but such an honour can easily become an insult if those reponsible for such things cannot take the trouble to make sure the names are spelled correctly.

In this case, a telephone call to Newmarket's National Horseracing Museum was all that was needed.