WORRIED hauliers say a travellers' camp which has been outside their premises for more than a month is threatening their business.

Brothers Peter and Ian Jones, who run Palletline with their mother Margaret from their warehouse in Queensway Meadows Industrial Estate, Newport, say they have to lock their gates every time they come in or out of their compound.

Peter Jones said: "These travellers have been here now for five weeks. "They are using our forecourt as a turning point so we have to lock the gates even when we are here."

Ian said: "I locked one in yesterday evening and called the police but they just told me to let the traveller go.

"The council are not telling us why they can't be moved and the police are saying they can't do anything either -- what do we do?"

Mother Margaret said the business was threatened. She said: "One of our customers is not happy that his goods are being kept in the warehouse so close to families who have to live without sanitation and is threatening to take his contract elsewhere - and that is 70 per cent of our custom.

"It's not that we don't care about their way of life but we are worried about them living so close for so long."

Peter added: "I cannot get an answer from Newport council - surely they can't stay there for ever."

Lliswerry ward councillor Ken Critchley said: "Initially it is up to the landowner, who can apply for an injunction to get these people removed.

"As the local councillor, I will certainly be looking into this issue, and taking it up." Inspector Bob Worrall, from Alway police station, confirmed that they had a report from Palletline yesterday evening.

He said the situation had been quickly resolved and the travellers moved from the Palletline premises.

*PICTURED: Hauliers Peter Jones, left, and brother, Ian, with their mother, Margaret.