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A second-hand car has been found to contain the details of 5,000 children from Leeds on a lost USB memory stick, it has been reported.

It is understood that the data leak includes information such as names, addresses, child protection information, dates of birth and other information relating to benefit claims made by the children's parents, with the discovery prompting an enquiry by the local council.

The items found on the memory stick could be plugged into any computer and accessed as it is understood to lack USB encryption.

"We take issues of information security very seriously and are very sorry that this breach has occurred," a spokeswoman for Leeds city council said in a statement.

She continued: "We have guidance in place which seeks to prevent such incidents occurring including advice on using memory sticks."

Last month, the government had to temporarily close its tax registry site Gateway after an employee lost a memory stick.