Racist and anti-Semitic graffiti found at a beauty spot has been condemned as 'sickening'.

The gazebo, steps, and the pathway in Langmoor Gardens, Lyme Regis, were all covered with graffiti, some of which contained racist and anti-Semitic content.

The Mayor of Lyme Regis has condemned the incident which she said was particularly distressing as it happened on Remembrance weekend.

Police are investigating it as a hate crime and have launched a witness appeal in an attempt to locate those involved with the crime.

The graffiti has since been removed from the area by members of the Lyme Regis Town Council team.

Lyme Regis Mayor Michaela Ellis said: "The council is appalled by this incident of racist and anti-Semitic graffiti in Lyme Regis, which no one should have to witness, and strongly condemns those responsible.

"Council workers have acted as promptly as possible to remove the graffiti and we thank Dorset Police for their proactive and swift response in dealing with this matter.

"This kind of behaviour is sickening at any time, but for it to have happened on Remembrance weekend is even more distressing.

"If anyone sees any similar incidents of graffiti around the town, please report it to the police or the council so we can act together against racism and discrimination."

The damage took place overnight on Friday, November 11.

Police Constable Kirsti Frecknall, of West Dorset police, asked those who have any information about the incident to contact the force as soon as possible: "Dorset Police takes hate crime extremely seriously and we are committed to identifying those responsible.

"We are working with Lyme Regis Town Council and following all possible lines of enquiry available to us and I would urge anyone with information that might assist our investigation to please come forward."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email at 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220184003.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.

In a separate incident last month, a racist slur was sprayed on skate park equipment at the park in Tannery Road, Bridport.

A spokesman for the town council described it as ‘an appalling act of hate’, saying: “This is appalling and completely unacceptable."