THE manager of a Saturday market in Newport say traders are cleaning up condoms and hypodermic needles left by prostitutes working the area.

Stallholders at the open-air market in Pill are sweeping away the mess before they open up.

Residents say they are pinning their hopes on Asda building a supermarket on the cattle market site, which would finally banish the street-walkers.

Plans for the supermarket have been submitted to the city council but there is no date yet for when a decision will be made.

Doug Cotton, markets executive of Grenchurch, which runs the market, said: "It is the case that our staff clear items such as condoms. They (the prostitutes) do get into the cattle pens and do their work.

"It's disgusting that the traders have to clear items away. We have notified the relevant authorities - there is nothing else we can do.

"There are plans for the site to be redeveloped - one benefit of this would be it would sort the problem out."

Councillor Laura Buchanan-Smith, who represents the area, said she was aware of the problem.

"There is an ongoing operation," she said. "Authorities know about it and they talk to the girls to try to stop problems occurring. But the victims here are really the young girls."

Just last week trader Emmanuel "Manny" Paul, 57, who owns Secondhand Warehouse in Tredegar Street, told the Argus that hypodermic needles were regularly strewn along a pathway outside his business, yards from a children's play area and clinic.

He claims he made numerous calls to the police to complain but says no action has been taken even though Central Clinic and the children's play area are nearby.

Officers say all complaints were acted upon but Mr Paul insists he wants tougher action taken.

"They're not doing enough," he said. "I would like to see more policemen on the street targeting prostitutes, drug dealers and users."

A spokesman for Gwent Police said: "We are aware of prostitution in the Newport area and are actively tackling it, together with partner agencies.

"We would encourage anyone who comes across any objects such as needles or condoms to report them to us on 01633 838111."