Hertfordshire Police have criticised the News of the World newspaper as 'irresponsible' after it wrongly alleged that two paedophiles were living in Sawbridgeworth.

The has newspaper launched a campaign to name and shame all of the UK's 110,000 proven paedophiles. Details of a number of paedophiles were published along with their photos.

A father and son the paper alleged lived in Sawbridgeworth were listed. The newspaper said the two men had run a paedophile ring from a studio and brothel.

But, Hertfordshire Police spokeswoman Rachel Ditchfield said the duo had not lived in Sawbridgeworth for at least five years and were no longer in the county.

She said the paper rang the force's press department the Friday before publication and were advised not to run the story because the men no longer lived in the town.

'We consider it quite irresponsible of the paper to go ahead and print it anyway,' she added.