Prospective students will be driven round the bend if they rely on road signs to direct them to college.

Never mind course notes or complicated timetables, a lesson in orienteering might be on the agenda if students are ever expected to find Gravesend’s new-look campus.

North West Kent College has been told Kent County Council policy prevents it from signposting the revamped site, despite it being tucked away from view off the A226.

The college, recently rebuilt at a cost of £36 million, has 1,500 full time and 6,000 part time students as well as visitors using its on-site sports facilities, beauty and hairdressing salons and nursery.

However the Dering Way college says KCC is determined to keep its location off the Lion Roundabout a secret, by putting the brakes on its signposting plans to send visitors, deliveries and prospective students in the right direction.

The college says KCC highways staff said the authority has a policy of not sign posting GP surgeries, schools or colleges.

This is despite neighbouring firm Comma Oil, also on Dering Way, and St John’s RC School on nearby Rochester Road, both having signposts as well as the college’s second campus in Oakfield Lane, Dartford.

Terry Knight, vice principal of North West Kent College, said: "There is clearly insufficient signage for the Gravesend campus and we are keen to work with KCC to resolve the difficulties, as we want the local community to know about our exciting new campus in Lower Higham Road and the opportunities it offers."

KCC has so far declined to comment.