British Airways blunder sees flights to Leeds linked with Leeds Castle - in Kent

The blunder was emailed out to customers by the airline with the heading: ‘Escape this autumn with these great deals’ - suggesting the northern city alongside the likes of New York and Berlin.

But while the city of Leeds boasts many great attractions - such as the First Direct Arena and Roundhay Park - Leeds Castle, some 235 miles away in Maidstone, is not one of them.

BA customer Ian Guildford, 48, said he was amazed when he spotted the error in his email inbox last night. He said: “At first I thought ‘Where’s that?’. I was thinking it might be somewhere in North or West Yorkshire that I hadn’t visited yet. Then I thought ‘That’s Leeds Castle’. I double checked on the internet and there it was, the very same picture, in Maidstone, Kent. That’s closer to Heathrow than flying here.

“I think it’s a general marketing email sent out to people on its database.

“I just found it funny because it’s one of those things that everyone worries about - that companies have a very London-based, south-based view of our country.

“So when our national carrier doesn’t even know where Leeds Castle is, it makes you worry.”

Mr Guildford, a company director at Ignition Publications, which makes match programmes for the likes of Leeds United, Leeds Rhinos and Yorkshire Carnegie, added: “I know that Leeds has a great deal to offer but not that particular castle.”

A spokesman for BA told the YEP: “We’re sorry for the silly mistake. Fortunately our pilots have no trouble at all recognising Leeds.”