Secret Enfield Council files containing highly sensitive information have been discovered in a former town hall, according to two politicians.

MP for Enfield Southgate David Burrowes visited the old Southgate Town Hall in Green Lanes with Councillor Henry Lamprecht this morning as part of their campaign to convert the building into a primary school.

The pair came across the abandoned files which they claim contain classified information about child abuse cases, deaths of children in care, medical records, mental health reports and financial accounts.

Although the site is no longer a town hall, it is being used as a set for crime drama Endeavor, which is a prequel to the television show Inspector Morse.

According to the Conservative politicians, the files include internal briefing documents about the council’s involvement in the care of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie, who died in 2000 after suffering sustained abuse from her guardians.

The politicians claim the documents, which were laying unguarded on top of a desk, include lists of children who were given up for adoption in the last ten years.

Sensitive information detailing names, addresses and contact numbers of carers, foster parents and adoptive parents also included, complete with comments about why some adoptions were not successful and why certain foster carers and adoptive parents were rejected.

Mr Burrowes said: "I am absolutely appalled by the lack of care showed by Enfield Council in relation to this highly sensitive confidential and personal material that was simply left lying around in an abandoned building.

“It is a horrible irony that sensitive cases such as the Victoria Climbie file concern children who suffered from the negligence of local authorities are being repeated in handling of the information after their deaths.”

He called on the council to carry out an urgent investigation to uncover how the information was left unattended in the building.

Cllr Lamprecht said: "I am shocked and appalled by this complete lack of care showed by Enfield Council.

“There were workmen all over the building and no sign of any security anywhere. I'm just glad I found it and not anyone else."

A statement from Enfield Council said: "Enfield Council takes its responsibility to keep confidential information safe and secure very seriously.

“Now that this matter has been brought to our attention we are conducting an urgent investigation to establish the facts.

"We are working with the Information Commissions Office as part of our investigation."