COMMUNITY leaders are urging Wrexham Council not to use a weedkiller which has been linked to cancer on their estate.

Caia Park Community Council is to write to the Welsh Government and Wrexham Council about the use of Round-Up on the estate.

In September Wrexham Council said it had received no proven health complaints after concerns were raised over its spraying of glyphosate-based weedkiller following a recent US court case.

Chemical giants Monsanto were ordered to pay £226 million to a man who claimed products containing glyphosate caused his cancer.

But Caia Park Community Council wants the authority to trial the use of other methods.

Cartrefle County Councillor Ronnie Prince was invited to the meeting having taken his concerns to the authority asking for it to be banned,

He said: "Last summer I exposed Wrexham Council for spraying excessively in Caia Park and other wards. As a result, I raised it with the council and complained to the chief executive.

"I was denied an investigation but I pursued it at scrutiny and they did admit they sprayed it excessively over that summer period."

Cllr Prince said that areas sprayed included grass verges and children's play areas.

He added: "We should err on the side of caution and stop using it altogether.

"At scrutiny they said they have a five year licence with the European Commission."

Chair of the community council, Wynnstay Cllr Malcolm King said: "We should make it clear we don't want it used in Caia Park and examine it further with the Welsh Government."

Queensway Cllr Carrie Harper also supported that view, adding that they should write to the Welsh Government for clarification and remind Wrexham Council that they would like to see the weedkiller "phased out", and alternatives tried.

Calls for an outright ban on the use of glyphosate were rejected by the council earlier in September.

However, it has committed to using a ‘minimum’ amount in light of recent concerns.

Most councillors were reassured by a report from officers which showed its usage had reduced from 373 litres in 2017 to 215 litres this year, and asked for the situation to be closely monitored.

Caia Park Community Council unanimously agreed to write to the Welsh Government and remind Wrexham Council of their concerns.