A NEWPORT councillor is calling for immediate action after gipsies set up an illegal camp near Newport's flagship velodrome.

The camp of four caravans pulled up on land at the entrance to the centre in Newport's international sports village at around 7pm last night.

Local councillor Allan Morris is calling for the gipsies to be moved on as soon as possible.

He said: "We are trying to create an international reputation for the sports village and the velodrome, having an illegal camp at the entrance to such important sporting venues does not look good for Newport.

"I will be looking for immediate action to be taken to move the camp on."

It is the latest in a long line of illegal gipsy camps that have been set up in Newport over the past year.

In May caravans moved on to land near the LG site in Coedkernew and at the same time another group also set up camp on nearby Peterstone Common.

In March a group was moved on from the LG site after gaining entry by smashing a barrier.

Last July, we reported how the council faced a £100,000 bill for clearing the 'health hazard' left behind by a group of travellers after they were evicted from the LG site.

The group then moved to Newport's Tredegar House - just three weeks before the National Eisteddfod was due to begin.

Since then the council has been looking at the possibility of building a permanent site for travellers.

It could cost £800,000 to build but could save the authority thousands in eviction costs.

Councillor Morris added: "The problem is that there are many decent families within the gipsy fraternity, there are just a few who are breaking the rules and making it difficult for everybody."