GIPSIES camping on a waterlogged Newport field are threatening to move to a city car park because they claim conditions on their unauthorised site are so bad.

Barney McDonnagh, 48, says this week's torrential rain has turned the site into a quagmire. He is calling on the council to help out, or the group will "help themselves".

The Argus reported in July how the group settled on land near Church Lane in Coedkernew, after controversially originally camping at Tredegar House, weeks before the start of the Eisteddfod.

Residents say they are frustrated that land near their homes is being used as a makeshift campsite.

But Mr McDonnagh said: "I have written to the council asking to rent the field officially, but there's been no reply.

"We are willing to pay towards the cost of a hardcore path and proper facilities, but as it is we will have to move on. If they don't help us, we will have to help ourselves.

"We are suffering here, we've no access to a GP, and there are health issues."

Councillor Bill Pursey, of Marshfield ward, said: "That kind of pressure is totally unjustified. There're plenty of non-waterlogged places in other areas. We've had enough of it here.

"If a site were built it would never be big enough and would become a shanty town. We need the return of legislative powers to move them on."

A spokeswoman for Newport council said the council was "sympathetic towards the needs of the travellers", but had to listen to the legitimate complaints of the neighbouring taxpaying population.