Members of Extinction Rebellion Lampeter have denied scrawling chalk messages on the pavement at Harford Square or obstructing local businesses through their protests.

It follows criticism of XR events in the proximity of the square which one town councillor suggested was having an adverse impact on local trade.

Speaking last month, Cllr Chris Thomas said numerous complaints had arisen as a result of the activities, while his colleagues heard that chalk slogans had been daubed on the pavement.

But XR have denied being responsible for the vandalism and said their members had actually spent considerable time removing the messages.

“During the second week of the Extinction Rebellion demonstrations in London this month, members who were still in Lampeter decided to hold daily demonstrations in support,” they said in a statement. “They were joined by enthusiastic students.

“All were very conscious of the difficulties a lot of small businesses are experiencing nowadays, in the age of the internet, so took care not to obstruct anything for more than a minute or two.

“Many businesses were, in fact, very supportive and offered various kinds of help. It is no surprise, perhaps, that members say they love Lampeter.

“They also hate vandalism, so when an opponent scrawled large numbers of messages in chalk on the pavement in Harford Square, members of the XR group spent a tedious hour washing the mess off the pavement. XR’s message to its members is ‘Leave No Mark’.”

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