Continued national press coverage about Tenby being a mecca for stag and hen nights is driving tourists away, claimed Clr. Mickey Folland this week.

Speaking at Tuesday night's meeting of the town council, Clr. Folland felt that the coverage given to the council's concerns over stag and hen nights had been very detrimental to the town's tourist image as an historic fishing port and family resort.

"There was another article in the Sunday Express magazine this week," he said. "I take a dim view of some of the comments made, they have even gone so far as to rape the Welsh name of this historic town by changing it from Dynbych-y-Pysgod to Dynbych-y-P***-up.

"I believe there was another article in the Sunday Sport, complete with photographs, about a lap-dancing event in one of our pubs with a headline along the lines of 'look what the boring councillors of Tenby are missing'.

"This is the sort of element we do not want to attract to our historic town, especially in the conservation area.

"It's not going to attract tourism, it's going to drive tourism away.

"I'm afraid there are some elements of the business community thinking only of the tune of the tills as they bank their takings, while others are suffering from the loss of trade this activity results in.

"It really worries me which way we are heading," he added.

The Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Maureen Ward, felt that the more that was said on the subject the more the press seemed to revel in it.

"This was one item in the local press that was blown out of all proportion," she said. "I can tell you I've had several up and downers with the press over their coverage of this issue."

"But if we don't mention this matter, people in the town will think that we are not concerned about it," protested Clr. Folland.

"But the more we mention it, the more it gets dragged up and the situation is perpetuated," replied Clr. Mrs. Ward.

Clr. Philip Crockford pointed out that people were afraid to come into the town on a Saturday night and felt it was a matter for the police to deal with, even if the town council had to go directly to the Chief Constable in Carmarthen.

"There are more police around now," countered Clr. Mrs. Ward.

"That is true," agreed Clr. Folland. "The one good thing to come out of this is that there is a greater police presence.

"The situation is not as bad as it was, but it is still 'iffy' and hopefully, by the time we meet with the police and local organisations again in October there may be ways and means we can use to stop it," he said.