Vandals smashed windows and tried to set fire to a seafront cafe in Hove last night.

A jogger raised the alarm after he ran past Hove Lagoon Cafe and saw a group of youths trying to break in.

Damage estimated at £10,000 was caused to the cafe, which is a popular meeting point for parents and their children.

Gill Martin, who has run the cafe for 13 years, said this was the 25th attack.

She said: "This time 15 windows have been broken and the gents' toilet has been completely smashed up.

"We have had to put security bars up at the windows in the past to prevent people getting in at night.

"Because of that, they were unable to get inside the cafe so stock and sweets had been pulled out through the windows.

"I arrived to find papers in a filing cabinet near a window had been set on fire and other documents scattered around outside.

"This is the first incident for a while but in the past it has been really bad. I was once called out three times in one night because the cafe had been broken into.

"In the end, I decided to stay here all night to stop it happening again and did not go home until the sun came up.

"There is a police CCTV camera nearby which you would think would put people off, but it is so dark down here at night, they think they can't be seen.

"What we need is for the council to put street lighting down here so people can see what is going on."

Police were on the scene within minutes of the call at 8.30pm.

Three teenagers were arrested at the Deep Sea Anglers Club further along the prom.

They were taken to Hove police station and later released on bail pending further inquiries.