A family's summer holiday plans have been ruined after thieves towed away their caravan.

Adrian Jones and Kathy Gilligan, of Unthank Road, Eaton, Norwich, had spent the morning finalising their caravan holiday plans when Mr Jones went upstairs to use the bathroom.

But the 48-year-old said he did a 'double take' after looking out the window to find the family's �9,500 caravan was missing.

They are now appealing for anyone with information about the theft or the whereabouts of the caravan to come forward and help the police investigation.

Shop owner Mrs Gilligan, 49, said: 'Both cars were at home, lights on in the house and we had not long gone to bed. We have teenagers living here and they go in and out at various times. The street is well lit. It seems like a very risky crime.

'We were booking our summer holiday and planning to use the caravan and go to various festivals.'

The couple said they had returned from an evening out last Saturday and went to bed at 10.30pm. It is believed at around midnight two men came into their drive, broke a wheel clamp on the caravan and hitched it up to their dark-coloured 4X4.

The caravan is a white Elddis Xplore 474 four-berth 2008 model.

As the suspects tried to leave the driveway, the caravan hit a pillar, causing a window to smash.

Student Maddie Lamont, 18, who lives opposite, said the suspects were wearing dark clothes and described one as 'big'.

She said: 'I woke up to a really loud noise. I thought it was someone going in our treehouse. I got out of bed, looked out the window and up the road I saw a 4X4 and a caravan.

'The men got out the car, ran round the back to check the caravan and drove off.'

The thieves are believed to have travelled north toward the A140 Colman Road/Mile End Road, in the direction of the city centre.

Witnesses are asked to contact PC Aaron Parker at Earlham Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Have you got a crime story? Call Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk