The first meeting of a group looking to preserve the future of Trent Park mansion has taken place.

The mansion is a Grade II-listed building and was bought by a Malaysian university from Middlesex University for £30million in August 2013.

The Malaysian university hoped to create a new campus at the site, but no work has taken place after it ran into financial difficulties.

Enfield Borough Council has now set up a working group to try to preserve the mansion's future after it rejected a campaign to list the building as an asset of community value.

The group, made up of councillors from both parties, met on Tuesday, May 26.

Conservative councillors Jason Charalambous, Terry Neville and Joanne Laban said: “We are pleased that the council has finally listened to overwhelming public concern about the site in establishing this working group.

“We hope that the council will now take proactive steps to secure long term public access, promote the significant Second World War heritage, and a future educational element to the site. We will maintain the pressure on Enfield council to ensure public demands are met."

An Enfield Council spokeswoman said: "A cross-party working group has been set up to discuss the future of Trent Mansion, which is now in the hands of the Receivers.

"The group will continue to work closely with local residents to explore all options available."