A council has defended powers given to some staff to enter private homes or businesses.

Braintree Council has 20 staff with powers of entry.

They have used the legislation twice in the last two years, but the council could not give any details as they are ongoing cases.

Wendy Schmitt, cabinet member for regulatory functions, said: “As a local authority we have a host of statutory duties to undertake in order to protect the public, and powers are available to us to enter properties in certain circumstances.

"This could range from entering food premises to enforce hygiene laws, to entering domestic housing to enforce housing legislation.

"These powers are used rarely, and would usually be done so with the owner’s permission, but they are though important should they be required.”

Big Brother Watch, a civil liberties and privacy campaign group, asked every council in the country for information on how many staff have the powers.

Uttlesford Council refused to disclose the information.

Big Brother Watch said there are still almost 20,000 council officials with powers of entry in the country.

It says the number should be reduced.