Vandals using explosives to blow up parking meters have continued their war against the machines and struck twice in four days.

More than 30 machines have been damaged in Lewes since the meters were installed two years ago.

The latest explosions took place on Saturday December 30 2006 and Tuesday January 2 this year.

Both meters were positioned between King Henry's Road and Western Road.

East Sussex County Councillor for Lewes Ruth O'Keeffe said she believed Lewes now had the worse record in the country for damage to parking meters and they had become impossible to insure.

She said: "It's a terrible shame because it's criminal damage and using any profit the council may have made to go back into the district."

She said many believe the vandals are acting in protest against the council's controlled parking scheme.

Cllr O'Keeffe said: "Lewes is a combination of a large number of people who are well-organised, intelligent and dislike being told what to do and if you add that to the high number of people who have a lot of skill with small explosives then this is the effect."

The total cost of the damage, which has included graffiti and scratches as well as explosions, is more than £300,000.

Cllr O'Keeffe said money which would have been used to pay for improvements to transport schemes is now spent on replacing the meters.

John Ticehurst, Lewes District Commander, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, warned lives could be lost if the vandals continue.

He said: "If someone, those responsible or a passer-by, got hit by shrapnel then it is potentially extremely serious.

"They could cause serious injury or loss of life."

Damage to parking meters has been reported elsewhere in the district as far away as Newick and in other areas of Sussex including Brighton and Hove and Hastings.

A reward of £5,000 is being offered to anyone with information leading to a conviction of anyone involved in the vandalism.

Anyone with information can contact Lewes Police on 0845 6070 999 and quote Op Magee.