An MP has pledged to investigate after campaigners criticised the condition of an historic cemetery desecrated by vandals.

Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said he was alarmed Broadwater Cemetery had been wrecked by youths who have smashed hundreds of memorial stones dating back to the 1860s.

Mr Loughton has pledged to visit the cemetery, off South Farm Road, Worthing, next week with leading campaigner Tom Wye.

Mr Wye, a former Army major, has conducted a survey of both Broadwater and another cemetery in the town, Heene, to find out how many graves commemorate war casualties.

He said: "Mr Loughton recently wrote that it was essential to keep overseas war graves in prime condition as a tribute to those who have fallen and as a reminder to future generations.

"I fully agree with his statement but I would like to ask him to apply the same standards in Worthing. The cemeteries of the town contain 149 casualties of war, 80 in Broadwater, 60 in Durrington, eight in Heene and one in St Andrew's churchyard in Tarring.

"I invite him to visit the Broadwater and Heene cemeteries and to tell me if they are fit final resting places for the heroes of Worthing.

"I have visited the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries extensively and nowhere on the Continent will you find our war dead resting in such vandalised and neglected conditions as those found in Worthing.

"The condition of the Broadwater and Heene cemeteries are the shame of the town."

Mr Loughton said he was a member of the Royal British Legion and sympathetic to the campaign.

He said: "I wasn't aware it was so bad but I will go and have a look next week and take it from there."

Mr Wye said Broadwater was the last resting-place of Major W T O'Reilly, 34, winner of the Military Cross and Bar, of the Middlesex Regiment.

He died in September 1920 from wounds received in action almost two years previously in October 1918.

Mr Wye, 58, of Ashacre Lane, Worthing, said: "To be awarded an MC is a significant achievement but to do it twice is something a bit special yet his grave is extensively vandalised."

He said Heene Cemetery, off St Michael's Road, was so overgrown it resembled a jungle.

The Worthing Ex-Services Association is currently liaising with Worthing Borough Council and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, with a view of "adopting" the neglected war graves.

Mr Wye said: "We would like to hear from individuals, associations or organisations who are interested in helping us with this work. The results of years of vandalism, neglect and complacency must be rectified. We owe it to these heroes."

A council spokesman said talks were taking place in a bid to protect Broadwater and preserve the remaining memorials.

He said security guards regularly patrolled the grounds but couldn't be there 24 hours a day.

The council was concerned that the smashed graves could pose a safety risk.

Nobody from St Andrew's was available for comment.