Almost 300 people have claimed compensation from Haringey Borough Council in the past two years after falling on broken and uneven pavements.

Between 2010 and 2012, the council received 278 claims for compensation for injuries caused by cracks and uneven paving slabs.

Liberal Democrat politicians claim the council is putting the safety of people at risk by failing to mend its footpaths.

Councillor Jim Jenks, who leads Muswell Hill, said: "The Labour council needs to take action to ensure that our roads and pavements are properly maintained.

“Trips and falls not only cost the council money, they can represent a huge cost to the NHS, not to speak of the impact of injuries on the lives of residents, especially elderly residents.”

A Freedom of Information request revealed that 159 claims were made during the 2010 to 2011 financial year, with 119 people claiming between March 2011 and April 2012.

A total of 80 claims are still being processed by the council, and 20 have been settled so far with payment.

The figures come less than six months after Haringey was named by the Department of Transport as having the worst maintained roads in the country.

One in five of the borough’s A roads were deemed in need of maintenance, which was the highest figure out of all authorities in the UK.

The Haringey Independent is waiting for a comment from the council.