A Facebook post by Cornwall’s Lanhydrock National Trust has sparked controversy for depicting a scone with cream first, then jam – widely acknowledged to be the Devon way of doing things.

The post, advertising Mother’s Day afternoon tea, upset locals who said a traditional Cornish cream tea has jam first, then a dollop of cream.

More than 240 people shared the post, with hundreds of comments, some of whom questioned whether it was an early April Fool’s joke. Others branded it “disgusting” and some even threatened to boycott the facility.

Lanhydrock National Trust issued a tongue-in-cheek statement on its Facebook page in response, accompanied by picture of a Cornish cream tea.

“We’d like to sincerely apologise for any offence caused by a recent scone-shot shown on the page. The member of staff responsible has been reprimanded and marched back over the Tamar.

“We’d like to reassure our Cornish community that our catering team would never make such a heinous mistake and that our jam and cream are usually served in little pots so the order of their application is not subject to such appalling error. Rest assured, your mothers are safe here.”

To show support, members of the Lanhydrock National Trust team will be sporting #jamfirst badges.