Protesters have vandalised a city centre bank, daubing it with red paint over its ties to Israel.

The front of the Barclays bank in North Street, Brighton, has been sprayed with red paint by protesters calling on the bank to cut its ties with weapons manufacturers who supply Israel with weaponry used amid the ongoing war with Hamas.

Customers were made to use the side entrance after the steps leading up to the bank were dripping with blood-red paint.

The Argus: The paint was sprayed on the front of the bank this morningThe paint was sprayed on the front of the bank this morning (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

A contractor has already washed some of the paint off with a pressure washer.

Campaign group the Palestine Solidarity Committee is understood to be behind the damage, marking the anniversary of Nakba - when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced to leave their homes ahead of the Arab-Israeli war in 1948.

The Argus: The handrail was painted red outside the bankThe handrail was painted red outside the bank (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Wednesday also marked the start of the Great Escape festival with hundreds of artists playing gigs across the city.

This year, the festival's main sponsor Barclays has caused fury among musicians and fans - now with more than 100 acts boycotting the event over the sponsorship.

Sussex Police are now trying to identify the people behind the spray-paint protest.

A spokesman for the force said: "Police received a report of criminal damage relating to a Barclays bank in North Street, Brighton, on Wednesday afternoon.

"Enquiries are ongoing to identify and locate any suspects. The incident is not believed to be related to any wider planned protest activity in the city.

"Anyone with information that could help the investigation is asked to contact police online or via 101, quoting serial 597 of 15/05."

The Argus has approached Barclays for comment.