A charity that produced a tourism map in a shape resembling a penis believes the mistake would have paid off if it attracts more visitors.

Web users on social networking website Facebook mocked the map after it was posted online.

But the Canal and River Trust’s Simon Salem insisted the charity had not noticed the shape of the map beforehand.

Mr Salem added: ‘If it gets at least one more person down to the canal then it has worked.

‘You could accuse of us of being a bit naïve but canals are long, straight things and when you draw a map it tends to be that sort of shape.’

Hertfordshire county councillor for Berkhamsted, Cllr Ian Reay, said: 'I think it will lead to an increase in visitors. I think on the whole it will be beneficial for the town.'

The map shows landmarks along the banks of the Grand Union Canal as it runs through Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.