Police officers are searching for a man after a memorial dedicated to victims of the war in Ukraine was painted over with swastikas.

The 12ft sculpture of a Ukrainian soldier holding a baby with a mother clutching another child was vandalised twice in several days. 

The artwork was left with white paint scrawled across it in the shape of the Nazi insignia when it was in Worthing last month. 

It is understood to have been painted in broad daylight in the town centre.

Several days earlier, the monument was defaced with graffiti referring to the May 2014 Odessa clashes in Ukraine.

Sussex Police have released an image of a man they would like to talk to.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “Do you recognise this man? We would like to speak to him in relation to an incident of racially-aggravated criminal damage in Worthing town centre.

"Officers responded to a report of swastikas being painted on a Ukrainian memorial in Chapel Road between 3pm and 4pm on Sunday, May 14.

"Investigators believe the man pictured has information that could assist with their ongoing enquiries and ask him, or anyone who recognises him, to get in touch."

The tall silhouette known as 'I want to live' shows a mother leading a child to safety. It was moved to Worthing on May 3 and stayed there until May 15 before it was taken to Brighton. 

Anyone with information can contact Sussex Police online or by calling 101 quoting serial 801 of 14/05.