Travellers attempting to set up camp at Govilon recreation ground got more than they bargained for when they confronted the chairman and clerk of the local community council.

Councillor John James and Mrs Melanie Mercer from Llanfoist Fawr Community Council had been at the King George V playing field for a site meeting about the football pitch last Tuesday (Aug 20) and were about to leave when the travellers started arriving at around 10am.

Thinking quickly, the pair blocked the entrance with their own cars. The ensuing stand-off lasted more than four hours.

"There were at least three traveller vehicles - a truck and two white transit vans - with mainly male occupants," said Mrs Mercer.

"A car also drove up with a woman and children and another male who made their way to the playground."

With the travellers facing them in silence, standing by their vehicles at the site entrance, Councillor James and Mrs Mercer say they felt 'seriously threatened' and made an emergency call to Gwent Police.

"I explained we were feeling intimidated and was told someone would come down - but no-one turned up.

"When we called back later we were told our call had been downgraded. The call centre said that, according to its records, two officers had driven past the site but had decided the council had the situation in hand.

"We were there for the whole time and didn't see any police vehicle. We were both very annoyed.

"The community council invites the police to be represented at everything but, when you need a police officer, it seems no-one is interested.

"We plan to make an official complaint to Gwent Police professional standards about the matter.

"At the outset there were at least 12 travellers and their vehicles pointed towards our cars. And after that traveller vehicles were passing the site at regular intervals to check if anyone was still there blocking the entrance."

Mrs Mercer also contacted Monmouthshire County Council and within 30 minutes a council employee arrived with two strong chains and padlocks to secure the vehicle gates.

"We were grateful for the council's response, but we realised that padlocks and chains would not be a major deterrent to travellers so we contacted a local contractor - Alun Griffiths of Llanfoist - and requested assistance with suitable boulders to block the entrance to the site.

"They sent a couple of people to assess the situation and within four hours three very helpful workmen arrived with three 2 1/2ton concrete blocks on a lorry. Their help was much appreciated.

"The barriers were placed carefully to permit access for small cars or grasscutting equipment but not larger vehicles or caravans.

"It's only a temporary solution, of course, because local people visiting the rec to use the football pitch, playing area or pavilion now have to leave their cars on the roadside."

Mrs Mercer said that there had been a concern over travellers camping on the recreation ground just a few weeks ago.

The community council had reported the issue to MCC environmental health department. But before the council's officers investigated, the travellers left of their own accord.

"We assumed the people who turned up last week were the same group attempting to get back on the site," she said.

A Gwent Police spokesperson said, "We did receive a call regarding the issue and would advise anybody with any concerns about the police response to contact us directly."

An MCC spokesman said, "We were happy to help the community council members on this occasion in order to prevent the illegal occupation of land."