THE council has rubbished claims it has been using an illegal scrap yard run by travellers.

A council van was seen at the travellers' site on Tank Row and the council was reportedly dumping scrap metal. There is a sign at the site saying 'scrap wanted'.

However, the council says the van was there for a routine clear-up and the scrap was removed without permission.

Derek Williams, assistant director for Neighbourhood Services, said: “An internal investigation has taken place which found that, during a routine tidy up in the area, a Neighbourhood Pride crew allowed scrap to be removed from the van without challenge to avoid possible confrontation. No money changed hands and the removal of said items was immediately reported to a supervisor on return.”