Thieves have dashed a young family's holiday hopes after stealing more than £1,000 worth of camping gear.
Terry and Lisa Tarman were devastated when they discovered all their kit had been taken in a break-in.
Disappointment - Lisa and Terry Tarman with their sons Ben and Jordan outside the garage in Dilbridge Road Picture: ROB SAMBROOK
They spent months planning a week-long trip to Sandringham in Norfolk, with children Jordan, aged four, and Ben, two.
But their dreams are in tatters after crooks escaped with a tent, sleeping bags and cooking equipment from a rented garage in St Anne's, Colchester.
"It's sickening," said Lisa, 25. "We can't afford to go abroad so we go camping once a year.
Lisa's mum, Irene, gave them the tent so the family could go on holiday.
The family only found out about the break-in when Colchester Council contacted them to say the garage was being boarded up.
There has been a spate of burglaries at council-owned garages in St Anne's. In a separate incident a fridge, belonging to a Guide group, was stolen.
Gordon Steed, Colchester Council area housing manager, said: "We will continue our good relationship with the police and try to work out a plan to watch the area and find out who is responsible."
Published Wednesday, April 9, 2003
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