MESS left by travellers over the last two years has cost Redditch taxpayers £50,000 to clean up.

The figure was revealed during a full council meeting when the controversial issue of bunds, used to stop travellers entering a site, was debated.

Councillors agreed to consult residents over the removal or installation of bunds after one, put in to stop travellers using a site at Winyates Green, prompted outrage from residents.

Councillor Brandon Clayton said he had received a number of letters from people across the town about travellers.

He said: "People knew this motion was coming forward before council and in the last week, you would not believe the number of letters I have received."

And he said prompt action to deal with sites used by travellers was necessary.

He added: "If you look at the figures for the clean-up, it has cost the council about £50,000 over the last two-and-a-half years. That is £50,000 the council tax payer is paying."

Meanwhile, councillor Betty Passingham expressed concern over wording used by the council on the issue.

Mrs Passingham said: "I have an issue about the words on the paper saying anti-traveller and anti-gypsy.

"We have signed up to the Race Relations and if the Community Relations Council finds things like that on a paper, we're on a hiding to nothing."

Mrs Passingham said there were lots of people who did not feel quite like some people did about gypsies.

She warned: "I only wish you would be more careful about the wording on the paper, we could be in trouble over this."

The council's director of environment and planning will have delegated responsibility for installing or removing bunds following consultation with councillors and residents.