More than 230 needles and a large amount of "disgusting debris" was found in a rough sleeper's tent in Newport .
Council workers spent more than three hours sifting through the contents of the abandoned tent in the city centre.
Staff removed more than 232 needles and around 200 gas canisters from the small tent that was pitched near a children's toy store in Austin Friars.
The scene on Friday was captured by nearby worker Gareth Barnes who said the tent had been there for several months.
Gareth, 57, from Cwmbran, said: "I was surprised by the amount of needles.
"The council workers were there for three-and-a-half hours clearing it out. They were sorting through each piece of rubbish."
Gareth said he saw them take out duvets, drug paraphernalia, needles and canisters.
He said: "I thought it was a terribly sad situation.
"It's a desperately sad situation, to hit that low and reach rock bottom is very sad."
He added that unless something is done he fears people "will stop spending" in the centre of the city.
A Newport council spokeswoman said: "Cleansing staff from Newport council removed a blue tent from the city centre and removed more than 232 hypodermic needles, around 200 gas canisters and a large amount of disgusting debris.
"The area was washed down with disinfectant and mechanically swept.
"The council took action because the tent was abandoned."
