THE grave of Benny Hill has been dug up and his coffin smashed open.

Police believe robbers were looking for jewels which local rumours in

Southampton had said were buried with Hill, one of Britain's most

successful comedians, on April 28.

The raid was discovered at 8.45am yesterday by a man who lives near

the Hollybrook Cemetery, where Hill was buried next to his parents,

Helen and Alfred.

After the CID inspected the grave, the lid of the coffin was put back

and earth replaced.

Concrete believed to be one-foot thick has since been placed over

Hill's grave.

Police say they have not increased patrols around the cemetery because

of the new security precaution, and appealed to the public for help in

catching the raiders.