Parking meters have been blown-up with fireworks in a repeat of an eight-year campaign of vandalism.

A total of five meters have been blown up and sprayed with paint in Lewes.

Two were attacked with a firework and paint in the Phoenix Causeway car park and fireworks were also used to damage ticket machines in Friars Walk, Garden Street and Southover Road, Lewes.

David Weeks, East Sussex County Council team manager for parking, said: “This kind of act is dangerous and anti-social and we expect the repair bill to amount to more than £3,000, which ultimately will have to be paid for by the taxpayer.

“We would strongly urge anyone with information about these incidents to contact the police.”

The latest spate of vandalism follows an eight year campaign waged in the town against parking meters.

The vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the meters as they repeatedly blew them up after they were installed in 2004 – with more than 200 being attacked.

The last reports of firework damaged parking meters in the town were in November 2012 but over last weekend the incidents returned. Sussex Police have said they cannot confirm whether the latest incident is linked to the previous explosive campaign.

It is estimated since 2004 the council have had to spend more than £300,000 to replace the firework damaged meters.

It is not known if the damage is a protest against parking charges.

Detective Constable Julie Cocklin said: “A man was seen to run off towards the town centre after an explosion alerted residents to an attack in Friars Walk around 10pm on Sunday.

“Two fireworks were also heard in the Southover area between 8pm and 10pm that evening, so it is possible that the offender was moving from that area on towards the town around that time.

“If you witnessed any of the attacks or have any information about who is responsible, please email 101@sussex. pnn.police.uk or you can call 101 quoting Operation Cohesion.”