DOZENS of gipsies who set up camp in Newport more than a month ago left a trail of debris behind when they left.

The camp was set up on council-owned land near the LG site, Marshfield just months after it cost £40,000 to clear up after another group was evicted.

They left a trail of rubbish behind them including children's bikes and fridges.

A resident living near the illegal camp, who wanted to remain anonymous said: "This was the biggest invasion of gipsies I have seen.

"You had 50 caravans, 50 generators and about 100 dogs keeping you awake at night and causing a nuisance and mess."

Newport council bosses are putting together an estimate of how much it will cost to clear the area of the latest mess.

Marshfield councillor Bill Pursey said worried local people were contacting him constantly.

He said: "It is diabolical. People don't want them where they live. They are scared and shouldn't have to be.

"I think it will cost the same as last time to clean up."

It is not known where the latest group of travellers went.

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

They then moved to New-port's Tredegar House - just three weeks before the National Eisteddfod was due to begin.

The council is 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.

Bettws councillor, Noel Trigg said he was in favour of setting up a permanent site for the gypsies.

He said: "You have got to provide a permanent site for them or they have nowhere to go.

"They will keep travelling around Newport so we need somewhere where we can charge them rent, and have a guard standing by.

"If they leave the site in a mess they would have to pay a fine. The only problem is where to have the site."