Residents say the tranquillity at a cemetery has been “spoilt” by disgusting graffiti and damage caused to several graves.

The vandalism at Willesborough Cemetery was first noticed by visitors yesterday morning (October 10) and has caused stress and upset to grieving relatives.

Obscene graffiti was daubed over several headstones with reading “Haha, you died”, while a phallic image has been drawn onto another grave.

“F*** God” has also been written on the nearby St Mary’s Church, and other graves have been smashed or disturbed.

Ashford Borough Council, which runs the cemetery, is now investigating the incident and working on restoring the resting places.

One resident, who does not wish to be named, saw the graffiti and said it has made the area feel “ugly”.

She told KentOnline: “Seeing that vandalism has spoilt the tranquillity and made the area feel ugly, when in fact it had always felt like a sanctuary, as most of the graves are tended with such care.”

Another anonymous witness of the destruction added: “There were about five or six graves with vandalism on, some graves themselves had also been broken.

“It’s sad to see, as it’s such a lovely cemetery and so many lovely graves are now destroyed or vandalised, and there doesn’t seem to be much being done around it.”

Ward councillor Steven Campkin (Green) has met with officers regarding the vile drawings.

In a post on social media, he said: “This is unacceptable!

“Aspire (the council’s landscape management contractor) has done what it can, but some of the stones are sandstone and will need very specialist treatment.

“A stonemason has been contacted, and fences are being repaired soon.

“The Community Safety Unit are investigating and is looking for any information on who might have done this, so please let me, ABC [Ashford Borough Council] or the police know if you think something might be relevant.

“All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.”

He added: “If this was you, we were all young once and did some silly things in our frustration, but this has caused a lot of stress and upset to grieving relatives.

“Take that negative energy and do something positive with it.”

Police have been contacted for further information.