SIGNS advertising Caldicot market days are reportedly being stolen within 24 hours of being put in place along the A48.

The signs, which cost around £100 each, are placed along the road to advertise the town's two market days on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Between May 14 and May 16, two of the four signs commissioned by the council's market supervisor Mac Cambray were stolen.

One of the signs was placed near the bus stop near St Pierre Resort in Chepstow and the other on the Newport-bound road opposite the Indian Empire restaurant.

According to Mr Cambray, two replacements were brought in on Saturday May 28 and were gone by Sunday evening.

"We thought it was a one-off the first time but now it's obvious it's a deliberate act. I think someone has a grudge," said Mr Cambray.

"They're not hugely expensive, but it's just money that we can't afford to keep splashing out."

The other two signs are located in Caldicot itself, with one placed directly opposite the Asda supermarket.

Mr Cambray added: "Caldicot needs this publicity. The market brings a lot of people into the town and these signs help.

"These signs help that process but somebody keeps nicking them. It's just annoying."

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said: "‘I can confirm at approximately 11am on May 20, 2016 Gwent Police received reports of signs were being stolen from grass verges along the A48 in Caldicot.

"The offence happened sometime between 5pm on May 14, 2016 and 10am on May 16, 2016.

"If you have any information regarding this incident or may have been in the area at the time and witnessed the theft please call Gwent Police on 101 quoting log number 136 20/05/16."