An investigation has been launched after at least six swastikas were etched into headstones in a churchyard.

A passerby spotted the offensive Nazi symbols at All Saints Church, Maidstone, yesterday.

He believes the markings had been left “in the last week or so”.

He said: “I was annoyed. It is quite a nice little graveyard to walk through.

“It’s quite disrespectful to be honest because these are 200 to 300 year old gravestones.

“I don’t get why you would choose a gravestone. No place is a good place for it, but why a gravestone? It’s just mindless vandalism.”

Reverend John Richardson, of All Saints Church, said he was not aware of the vandalism but confirmed the church would investigate.