An "embarrassing blunder" by Devon County Council has caused outrage in a village which proudly defends its independence, after it was classified as an area of Exeter.

Residents in Exminster, who they firmly insist is part of Teignbridge, are outraged their community has been listed as part of the nearby city for the purposes of a consultation exercise.

Villagers feel the error because of their recent battle to retain their autonomy, instead of being united with Exeter to fortify the city council's bid to break free from Devon County Council control.

The village also harbours fears that development in its precious green field sites could see it become an overflow of Exeter's urban sprawl.

The community has little sense of humour over being categorised as an area of Exeter in a drop-down list on a web page for Devon County Council's website, www.tough choices.co.uk, which invites suggestions on how the authority can save money in straightened times.

Devon County Councillor for Exminster, Alan Connett, highlighted what he called an "embarrassing blunder" and a "snub" from County Hall. He said: "Devon County Council fought hard to stop Exeter expanding its boundaries and now, it seems the county thinks Exminster is part of the city, and not Teignbridge.

"At first I thought this was a simple mistake, but then county officials they told me it had been planned that way. Strangely, no other community outside the city boundary has been included under the 'Exeter' heading by the county council."

Rosemary Sanders, who runs Rosemary's Village Shop said being listed as part of the city was "absolutely ridiculous". She said: "I was on the parish council for 17 years, and we spent a lot of that time resisting going in with Exeter We don't want to become part of the city. We have enough problems of our own."

She was one of a number of campaigners to try to resist an application by Midas Homes to build 300 properties, but it was approved on appeal.

Exminster Parish Councillor Caroline Aird agreed. She said: "People in Exminster are very concerned about effectively becoming an overspill of Exeter. We want to remain a part of Teignbridge. "

John Hart, Tory leader of Devon County Council, said: "Councillor Connett should rest assured that Kenton and Exminster have not been 'lost' or overlooked and there is no 'master plan' on the county council's part to redefine the city's boundaries."

He said the decision to include Exminister as part of Exeter for the exercise was made by the previous Lib Dem administration, and would be expensive to change.