Students from the University of Manchester were unable to identify Barrow on a map during a question on the latest University Challenge.

The popular BBC quiz show, hosted by Jeremy Paxman, saw the students presented with a map with three locations pinpointed on it.

They were asked to name the three towns with significant working shipyards, with the first being Barrow.

“That’s the Lake District,” said one.

“Is that near Lancaster?” said another.

“It’s not Kendal, I don’t know just go for that,” said another.

Irving submitted the answer Kendal, to which Paxman replied: “No that’s Barrow-in-Furness."

Roger Cresswell said: “But the next generation of contestants will be better, they all got straight A’s.”

Maureen Guttersnipe said: “And these people will be running our country in a few years. It would help if they knew where they were.”

George Observer said: “Probably taking a degree in geography. Trouble is they holiday abroad or never go past Watford Gap.”

Eric Silva said: “Hate to break it to you but Barrow isn’t the centre of the universe, why would they know?”

Ben Sider said: “Would most people in Barrow know where Manchester is?”

James Critic said: “Are you surprised? The notorious A590 keeps people and businesses away. They knew Kendal and the Lake District, but you can get to those places by motorway and dual carriageway. Who in their right mind would want to travel the rest of the A590 to Barrow unless you really had to?”