A FAMILY holiday turned into a nightmare for Julie Hutchinson after her caravan was burgled on the first night of her stay in Bridlington.

Julie, 27, travelled from Leeds last Friday to stay at the South Cliff Caravan Park with her father Ronnie, 65, and her two children Jakob, eight, and 10-month-old Ruby.

They arrived at the park in the afternoon and went out to its club in the evening, only to return later to find their caravan had been broken into and around £1,300-worth of items had been stolen.

"It's devastating really," said Julie.

"They've taken everything, from the television to the mini laptop and two mobile phones.

"Even the sat nav and Jakob's Ninteno DS were taken out of my car parked next to the caravan, despite the fact we'd hidden them.

"To be honest, they might as well have taken the whole caravan!"

Julie said that it was an "absolutely awful" way to start the holiday.

"We have been planning and looking forward to this holiday for so long and it's not cheap to come away on holiday.

"Now it's been ruined before it even began. We are stuck in a caravan with nothing but decided to stay and try to make the most of it for the sake of the children."

There was further upset for Julie when there was confusion over a refund she was offered by staff from the council-owned park.

"We were told tour week would be refunded because of what happened to us. but then the following day we were told to pay or leave the site," she said.

An East Riding of Yorkshire Council spokesman said the family were offered the weekend free of charge, which was honoured, but were told that if they wished to stay beyond that period they would have to pay accordingly.

The spokesman added: "It is important to note all property left on caravan sites is the responsibility of the owners and they should take all neccesary precautions to ensure their caravan and its contents are secure."

Humberside Police are investigating the burglary and have appealed for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious on the site between 10.30pm and 11pm last Friday to contact them on on 0845 6060222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, quoting crime number CL/1662614/2009.

Source: bridlingtonfreepress.co.uk