The Muswell Hill home of poisoned ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko has been declared a no-go zone, five months after the Russian was killed.

The house, in Osier Crescent, poses a hazard to anyone living in or entering the premises according to the Health Protection Agency. But in a letter to the street's residents, Haringey Council stressed that the contamination does not affect neighbouring properties.

The letter read: "This situation will remain until suitable remediation works are carried out to the premises or the Polonium 210 decays naturally to safe levels."

Resident Hamish Stewart said: "I think it is a bit of an over-reaction to the situation. There may be traces of the substance but you have to ingest it to really be affected.

"The place has been sealed for a while now so I'm not that surprised."

Councillor Nilgun Canver, executive member for crime and community safety, said: "We sent the letter to residents in Osier Crescent at this time because we want them to be aware that we have served an order on Mr Litvinenko's home, preventing use of the premises until remediation works have been carried out.

"We will continue to keep residents informed of further council action in this case."