A family has been forced to cancel their summer holiday after a £14,000 caravan was stolen from their back garden in Kidlington.

David Casey, 52, did not realise the caravan had gone until his children, Jennifer, 13, and Matthew, 11, asked him where it was when he got up yesterday.

Mr Casey, of Hazel Crescent, was planning to go to Southsea, near Portsmouth, with his children and wife, Jean, 52.

He said: "They are devastated. In five weeks' time we were due to go on holiday, but I'm afraid we won't be going now because some thieving gits have nicked the caravan.

"It had a lock on it and a wheel clamp and everything, and now it's gone.

"They have used a machine to get the lock off the tow bar. It was only two years old and I can't get another one now.

"It cost £14,000 and it would cost more than that to replace it.

"We have had holidays in it for two years and it was my pride and joy."

Mrs Casey said: "The kids came in from school yesterday and asked if we would be going on holiday, but it won't be happening."

The Bailey Senator Arizona caravan was stolen between midnight on Monday, and 7.30am yesterday.

It is 23ft long and has red reflective tape stuck on the back and white reflective tape stuck on the front.

It has cream bodywork, had the Caseys' postcode stuck on the roof in 16in letters and Arizona graphics on the side.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "If anyone saw anything suspicious or knows were this caravan is or has been offered it for sale, contact us."

Anyone with information about the theft should call Kidlington police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.