TRAVELLERS who occupied the Cattle Market car park earlier last month cost Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) nearly £1,500.

The group who were believed to have travelled down from Ross-on-Wye arrived in the evening of 9th June and left on the evening of 11th June.

Councillor Bryan Jones, cabinet member for operations, said: "After a direction was served to the travellers they left the site on Thursday evening.

"At 7.30am on Friday morning cleaners and sweepers cleared the site and it was set up for the Friday market.

"By 9am the car park and market were operating as usual.

"The cost to the council for loss of car parking income equated to an estimated £284. The cost of dealing with the travellers and clearing up amounted to £1,130 which included a £530 legal and environmental health charge.

"Our team did a really good job out there."

Councillor Sue White praised the work of council employees for their hard work in clearing up the site. She said: "I think we do need to thank Roger Hoggins and Amanda Perrin for keeping us informed about the job being done.

"To the people sent to clean the mess up I am in awe of you and I'm very grateful to you.

"I would like to say a very big thank you from the people of Monmouth who have spoken to me about how it's concerned them.

"I'm glad this was done with such care and attention."