A cemetery plagued by boy racers, vandals and drug pushers is to be sealed off at dusk.

Worthing Borough Council has decided to lock the gates of Durrington Cemetery, off Findon Road, overnight.

The action is being taken from September 1 after memorials were pushed over by yobs who stalk the graveyard after dark.

Sergeant Ian Cooke, of Sussex Police, said there were consistent levels of complaints about “misuse” of the cemetery, where evidence of drug taking had been found.

Police asked for the gates to be locked to stop further damage and problems escalating.

John Thorpe, the council officer responsible for cemeteries, said: "The decision to close the cemetery overnight has been reluctantly taken following a number of incidents of criminal damage, theft and antisocial behaviour.

“We do not expect that visitors will be unduly inconvenienced and we are giving notice of our proposals to ensure those wishing to visit the graves of loved ones can.”

David Goncalves, the chairman of Findon Valley Residents' Association, said: "It has been a long time coming.

“It’s a shame so many memorials had to be damaged for the message to finally get across to close the gates at night.”

Notices will be placed around the cemetery to let people know what is happening.

Durrington has fallen victim to the same problems which plagued Broadwater Cemetery in South Farm Road, Worthing, for decades.

The gates at Broadwater are already locked at night after hundreds of memorials, including war graves, were smashed.

The vandalism led to the formation of a Friends' group which is seeking around £32,000 in Lottery cash to begin the restoration of the Victorian burial ground.

Worthing MP Peter Bottomley said: “I think this is necessary but regretable.

“Those who have buried their relations and friends should be able to pay their respects without feeling it has been turned into a cafe or informal drinking area.

“I long for the day when not just most but all young people realise their social life should be conducted in an acceptable way to others and be able look back on those days with pride not regret.”