Visitors to Rochester’s world-famous Sweeps Festival will be led a merry dance if they rely on a botched map produced by Medway Council.

A guide to the three-day folk extravaganza next weekend, which attracts morris and sweeps troupes from all over the country, shows five key venues in completely the wrong place.

According to the map, The Cooper’s Arms, which has been in St Margaret’s Street for more than 800 years, is now 10 minutes away in the heart of the High Street.

It is joined by the Man of Kent which is in fact in John Street outside of the town centre in Troy Town.

The Good Intent pub is in John Street but on the map has been moved to the spot on the corner of King Street where the Man of Kent is. And Oliver’s Bar and Restaurant, normally at the Star Hill end of the High Street has moved into St Margaret’s Street.

Perhaps the worst error is the wrong location of the old Post Office stage, which should be in the High Street.

"I'm sure it is just human error but the festival is very important to us..." - Jako Pavlic, Oliver's general manager

One of the busiest dancing venues at the festival, visitors are directed half a mile away in the middle of houses and flats in John Street.

All the venues are due to host popular events and traders fear the confusing map designed by the council’s communications team could cost them in lost takings.

A disclaimer on the festival programme reads: “Every care has been taken to ensure the details given are correct at the time of printing. However, circumstances can and do change and the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any subsequent amendments.”

The Sweeps Festival runs from Saturday, May 2 to Monday May 4. It includes international music acts performing on four outdoor stages.

Jako Pavlic, general manager of Oliver’s, said: “I’m sure it is just human error but the festival is very important to us.

"It is a very busy time of year. We would really like the council to clear this up to avoid confusion, especially as one of the main stages is outside of our premises and now the map shows it is out of the town centre.

A Medway Council spokesman said: “An un-proofed map was sent in error to the printer, but once the mistake was realised, we sent the correct version which will be available to visitors to the festival.

“The cost of reprinting the map was £189 and we’re sorry some outlets got the incorrect version.

"Visitors to Sweeps can rest assured they’ll have the correct map inserted into the brochure. They’ll also be able to get one from stewards and information points on the day.”