Vandals who smashed up graves at a cemetery in Worthing have been branded morons.

Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, called on police to "blitz" the yobs and make an example of them.

Police are hunting the teenagers who went on the rampage in Broadwater cemetery in South Farm Road, wrecking dozens of graves.

Tom Wye, president of the Worthing Combined Ex-Services Association (CESA), said the cemetery was now in a disgusting state.

He said: "There is litter and debris everywhere and obscene graffiti daubed on the South Farm Road entrance and the Cross of Sacrifice.

"It is deplorable that morons can do this sort of thing and get away with it, especially as the graffiti includes names which should give a clue to the perpetrators.

"I am sure a concerted effort by the police could reduce these mindless acts. It is time for a zero tolerance campaign against those who use the cemetery as a playground and desecrate not only private memorials but national tributes to the fallen."

Mr Loughton said: "Clearly the police and the council need to have a blitz on chasing up any leads and making an example of them."

A week after the attacks, police have still not arrested anyone.

Chief Inspector Martin Pattenden, neighbourhood policing team inspector for north Worthing, said: "It is an incredibly insensitive crime, which we are investigating. My patrols are out in the community as much as possible, providing a visible presence in crime hotspot areas."

He described the damage as a "kick in the teeth" to CESA, which has mounted a campaign to clean up the war graves.

Mr Loughton wondered whether the vandalism was connected to the attacks on graves in Durrington cemetery, Worthing, last year.

Despite the latest damage, Mr Wye vowed a spring clean of war graves, involving local sea scouts, would still take place at Broadwater cemetery on March 29.