Image copyright Google Image caption Plymouth, shown in the correct position on Google Maps, was described as being in the North West

The Department for Transport has defended the geographical knowledge of its staff after several blunders appeared in an official announcement.

The mistakes included saying Manchester was in the North East of England, Leicestershire in the South East and Plymouth was in the North West.

The government department blamed a "data source issue".

However, the document was emailed to journalists before anyone spotted the mistakes.

Image copyright Google Image caption Manchester was described as being in the North East

The blunders were in a press release announcing millions of pounds of investment in green transport projects across the English regions.

Telford and Wrekin Council, located in the West Midlands region, was described as being in the East of England.

Greater Manchester, located in the North West, was described as being in the North East.

Warrington, in the North West, was described as being in the North East.

Northumberland, in the North East, was described as being in the North West.

Plymouth, in the South West, was described as being in the North West.

Leicestershire, in the East Midlands, was described as being in the South East.

Hampshire, in the South East, was described as being in the South West.

The Isle of Wight, in the South East, was described as being in the South West.

A member of staff at the department suggested the errors were down to a mix-up in "sorting and formulating options".

The department insisted to the BBC that its staff were aware of the locations of places in England.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "This was advance information given to the BBC regional team to help them plan.

"As they helpfully observed there were some errors in a table - a column showing regions had got jumbled up.

"The actual map published today showing the Local Sustainable Transport Fund allocations puts the locations where you would expect to find them."