A comic who made headlines with tasteless jokes about the Holocaust has caused a storm of protest among Brighton and Hove's Jewish community.

Jewish leaders have expressed disgust over Scott Capurro's proposed visit to Brighton after the comic's anti-Semitic jibes at the Edinburgh Festival.

At least 15 people walked out of his Edinburgh performances and one 15-year-old girl burst into tears after he made jokes about AIDS, gay people and the Queen Mother.

But his most controversial "gag" was about the death of more than six million Jews in the Second World War.

Ivor Caplin, MP for Hove and vice-chairman of political group Labour Sons of Israel said he was horrified: "These types of so-called jokes are completely and utterly unacceptable.

"The Jewish community and the UK in general is right to remember what happened in the Holocaust because that drives many of our desires towards equality and tolerance. To focus a comedy act on the Holocaust is frankly unacceptable. I hope the Brighton and Hove public give the Komedia a miss on this evening."

This view was shared by Rabbi Jeremy Collick, of the Palmeira Avenue Synagogue, which has one of the biggest congregations in the area.

"I think it is sad that somebody has to resort to making fun, not just of the Holocaust but any of the horrific events that took place in the world last century," he said.

Aubrey Milstein, vice-president of the Brighton and Hove Jewish Representative Council, agreed: "One-third of the Jewish people were wiped out by the Nazis. How would he feel if one-third of his family had been wiped out? He might have a different viewpoint then."

A Komedia spokeswoman pointed out Capurro's Jewish background: "His roots mean he is not doing the act as an outsider. He is asking why can't he make jokes about his own background? Why is it still unacceptable to make jokes about being Jewish?

"He's pushing the limits of comedy, but who is to say comedy is to be restricted to strict parameters? It's not a good idea to take these kind of comments out of context. The only way to form an opinion is to come and see him for yourself."