A blunder has seen a new road meant to honour a Leek hero who was killed in the Burslem Pottery Riots of 1842 given a completely wrong name.

St Modwen Homes has been building 216 properties on the site of the former Royal Doulton factory, in Burslem.

North Staffordshire Trades Union Council had proposed that some of the streets were named after those who took part in the Chartist protest of Burslem in 1842.

One road has been called Joseph Heapy Close after the 19-year-old man who was shot dead by troops outside the Big House in Moorland Road exactly 180 years ago today. However, his first name was Josiah, not Joseph.

Josiah Heapy originally born in Quarnford, but his mother had died when he was 3 years old, and his father when he was 11 years old. He then moved to Leek and worked as a shoemaker.

Now Stoke-on-Trent City Council has pledged to take action to rectify the error as a ceremony is held this evening to mark the anniversary of Josiah Heapy's death.

The Chartists were working class political reformers and at the height of the infamous Pottery Riots, workers took to the streets in protest at squalid conditions, long hours, frequent pay cuts and the ultimate right to vote.

A North Staffordshire Trades Union Council spokesman said: "August 16 sees the 180th anniversary of the Chartist protest in Burslem, when troops fired on demonstrators, killing Josiah Heapy.

"To commemorate these events, the North Staffordshire Trades Union Council proposed that some of the streets in the new housing development on the Royal Doulton site be named after key figures associated with the events of 1842.

"One street has been named William Ellis Grove, after the Burslem Chartist leader William Ellis, who was transported to Australia following the demonstration.

"Another street has been called Joseph Heapy Close, presumably after the young man who was shot dead by the soldiers. However his first name was Josiah. The North Staffordshire Trades Union Council is urging the council to correct this error, and ensure that the road is given its correct name of Josiah Heapy Close.."

Residents living on the new estate have also called for the mistake to be corrected. Vugar Ismaylov said he wasn't aware of who Josiah Heapy was until he looked it up online, but his wife had told him there was an error on the sign.

He thinks people living on the street might have to apply for corrections to official documents as a result. The 33-year-old said: "People who move there will be having issues with changing their documents - it's not a big problem, but still it's not ok.

"My son actually looked on Google, so we know now - it was a mistake. They should accept that, they should apologise, they should change it or do something to compensate."

Neighbour Neil Anderson, 45, said: "If they're going to name a road after him then they should get it right.

"I'm not sure whether that's St Modwen or the council's responsibility - but whoever did get it wrong deserves a good kicking up the backside for it. It's not an insult to me personally, but it is to his family and memory. I've no personal feelings on it but it's wrong to get it wrong."

Radu Padurariu, 30, said: "If it's wrong then they'll have to sort it out. But it takes a while for anything here - I moved nine months [ago] and things move very slowly.

"It's just a sign - I can live with it. I get the story behind it, but there will be people who will sort it out probably."

Another resident said: "To be quite honest I don't know who the person is and I would have to check even if it should be commemorated in the first place - because I don't know the history. But if they're trying to commemorate someone they should get the name right."

A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesman said: "We contacted the developer this morning to get a new street name plate installed to show the correct spelling."

St Modwen has also been approached for a comment.

The Pottery Riots began in Hanley, early during the morning of August 15, 1842, when a mob attacked the public office and destroyed books and papers. They then spread throughout the six towns.

On August 16, marchers from Leek – including Josiah Heapy – entered Burslem where the only military force in the neighbourhood was stationed, a platoon of about 50 soldiers of the 1st Dragoons, under the command of Captain Powys. Captain Powys read the Riot Act, but when bricks and stones were thrown at the soldiers, they responded by opening fire. Josiah's death was recorded as 'justifiable homicide'.

A ceremony is due to be held at a plaque in Swan Square, Burslem (opposite the Big House) commemorating Josiah Heapy. The ceremony will take place at 7pm on Tuesday, August 16 to mark the 180th anniversary of his death.