GIPSIES in Newport are demanding a permanent site rather than council houses "in the slums".

About a dozen caravans and up to 80 gipsies arrived at Newport Stadium, off Spytty Road, late last week, most with dogs, after the council evicted them from land off Corporation Road.

Before they left on Saturday afternoon, gipsy Rosemary Price, who has travelled around the city for eight years, said she wanted somewhere permanent in Newport to park caravans, rather than being given houses.

"I have been travelling all my life but wherever the council lets us stay, that will do us," said Mrs Price, 47.

"We don't like having to move around but the only choice we'd have is going in the houses and if they put us in the houses round here we would be in the slums. So we prefer to do this."

She understood neighbours and football fans would be angry they had set up at the stadium, but added: "We've got nowhere else to go."

Mrs Price, whose eight children and five grandchildren travel with her, said most of the travellers have been in Gwent for years, moving from site to site when forced.

One of her grandchildren is at school in the city, while another two go to nursery.

"We are normal people, we just decide to live in a trailer," she said.

Newport council is looking into building a permanent site for travellers. It would cost around £800,000 to build but could save the authority thousands in eviction costs.

Councillor Paul Cockeram, cabinet member for adult and housing services, said: "We will have to await the outcome of the debate before the answers are clearer."

Gipsy Council president Hughie Smith said landowners would continue suffering until a site is provided.

Speaking before kick-off at their match against St Albans on Saturday, Newport County director Colin Everett said the gipsies were causing "a nuisance".

"It's unsightly, it takes away part of the car park and there's a health and safety issue," he said.