The UK’s smallest synagogue has been damaged in an attempted burglary.

“It wasn’t antisemitism, thank goodness for that,” said Ronald Black, trustee of Newport Hebrew Congregation in South Wales, who discovered the break-in.

But the perpetrators were left frustrated as any items of value had been put into storage some time ago.

“They broke in through the back door and had to cut out some of the wood,” Mr Black said.

They also ripped out an electricity meter and smashed plaques, including one commemorating the donation of two of the community’s Sifrei Torah to Modi’in in Israel.

Regular services have not been held since 2015 but the building was used for prayer by holidaymakers from Manchester last year.

When the congregation sold its synagogue building in 1997, it converted an old taharah house by the cemetery which became its meeting place for services and other shul activities.