A spate of vandalism along Sidmouth seafront has caused more than £200 worth of damage.

Six cars parked along the Esplanade and three signs at Jurassic Paddle Sports were damaged between 11pm on Friday evening and 8.45am the following morning.

Simon Emerson discovered that the wing mirror on his BMW had been damaged, hours after he left his car parked outside the Elizabeth Hotel.

The Old Fore Street resident said: “It is just ridiculous. It’s Sidmouth and you do not expect that sort of stuff.

“Somebody has smashed six cars –destroyed somebody’s property because they cannot handle their drink or think it is funny.”

It is the third time that the 38-year-old has had his car damaged.

Signs at Jurassic Paddle Sports were also smashed during the evening.

Owner Guy Russell has just returned from Sri Lanka and said he was overwhelmed by the support of residents on Facebook.

Mr Russell said: “In a way, it makes you feel like you have been intruded.

“It is really nice the support we have had. People are coming up to me in town because they feel very strongly about it.”

Sidmouth police are carrying out door-to-door inquires and examining CCTV footage.

Sergeant Andy Squires said: “Criminal damage is an offence, amounting to a fine or imprisonment.

“We are doing house-to-house inquiries to see if we can catch the offender.”

If anyone has any information relating to these acts of vandalism, call the police on 101, quoting crime number CR/007017/15, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Also between January 29 and February 1, a VW Polo had its aerial snapped off while it was parked behind the swimming pool (CR/007360/15).