Bungling workman replaces a bench overlooking a stunning Isle of Wight sea view back to front so it faces a row of houses instead

  • Residents in Ventnor were puzzled when bench was installed facing wrong way
  • As well as being fitted back to front, the bench was also put up at a wonky angle  
  • The Isle of Wight's road network firm blamed 'human error' for the blunder

A bungling workman has replaced a bench overlooking one of Britain's best sea views the wrong way around.

Residents in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight were left stunned when the new wooden seat which peered over the seaside resort's quaint beach was installed back to front.

Instead of the beautiful English Channel sea view thousands of people have admired over the last century, those sitting on the bench found themselves facing a row of houses. 

A bungling workman replaced this bench in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight the wrong way around

A bungling workman replaced this bench in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight the wrong way around

Residents have been left even more puzzled to discover the bench has been fitted at a wonky angle

Residents have been left even more puzzled to discover the bench has been fitted at a wonky angle

Residents were left even more puzzled when they discovered the new bench was fitted on a wonky angle.

The Isle of Wight's road network firm, Island Roads, admitted the Shore Hill bench was reinstalled incorrectly as a result of 'human error'.

Now the PFI contractors have rotated the bench to its original position - but it remains on a slope.

People have since been spotted laughing at the bench and some witty Isle of Wight residents have mocked the gaffe by taking out a protractor to measure the angle.

Island Roads said after the blunder: 'Unfortunately, the bench was incorrectly sited due to human error.

'We apologise for this and have reinstalled the bench correctly.'

Instead of the beautiful English Channel sea view thousands of people have admired over the last century, those sitting on the bench found themselves facing this row of houses

Instead of the beautiful English Channel sea view thousands of people have admired over the last century, those sitting on the bench found themselves facing this row of houses

Social media users joked that it was the wrong way around to take selfies with the sea in the background

Social media users joked that it was the wrong way around to take selfies with the sea in the background

Social media users poked fun at the blunder, with Jenny Harding saying: 'Where the heck is common sense?' 

Alvina Gould joked: 'Is it so you can take a selfie?' Tom Norman added: 'Who thinks "oh look a lovely sea view, but sod that I want to sit and watch the road?"'

Ventnor is popular with tourists in summer hoping to enjoy the Isle of Wight coastline.

The seaside town, one of Britain's most famous Victorian health resorts, offers exceptional views out across the Channel.