A cemetery is to close its gates early everyday because of a string of attacks from young vandals.

In the latest attack on the Jewish Cemetery in Meadow View, Brighton, yobs poured hydrochloric acid on the paths after breaking into a caretaker's shed.

The incident was the latest in a string of attacks, which has also seen youths shouting anti-semitic remarks outside the cemetery.

But according to Rabbi Hershel Radar, from the Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation which runs the site, the attacks were not racially motivated.

He said: "These are very regrettable acts of vandalism and we will take all measures necessary, but there is no sign these children were being anti-semitic.

“We will be vigilant from now on but we are not going to take this out of proportion.”

However the gates of the cemetery, in Bevendean, will now be closed when local schools finish in a bid to avoid further attacks.

In the latest incident at about 8pm on Monday vandals broke into the caretaker’s shed and stole 15 litres of hydrochloric acid which they poured on about 20sq m of path.

The vandalism was cut short when the cemetery’s gardener heard the disruption and chased the youths away.

Firefighters from Preston Circus were forced to use about 4,000 litres of water to dilute the spill.