Caravan stolen after hate mail

The Darlers were accused of being unneighbourly in the cul-de-sac

A family's caravan has been stolen - after they received hate mail about not being "middle class" enough.

The Darler family were even told by the mystery writer to move to another area where neighbours would be "less sophisticated and stylish".

The author also threatened direct action if they did not remove their prized £20,000 caravan from the drive of their home in Grafham near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

And now the vehicle has been taken from outside the family's £300,000 home.

Steve and Carol Darler, who have four children, have also been subjected to silent phone calls.

And a letter was sent to warrant officer Mr Darler's commanding officer in the RAF suggesting he was a bad reflection on the air force.

The events, which are being investigated by police, have left the family very distressed.

Mrs Darler, 47, said: "Everybody has their choice of holidays.

"Some people like to go to Barbados for two weeks but give us a field any day for the peace and quiet.

"We have been camping since the 80s and just love the lifestyle."

On Friday afternoon police interviewed the Darlers and took away the letters for investigation.

Carol Darler says they love caravanning

The theft of the caravan comes after a two-year hate-letter campaign, where the writer accused the Darlers of reducing nearby property values by £20,000 because of the caravan's looks.

In another letter, the author says: "Why don't you move somewhere less sophisticated and stylish - think of all the flashy cars and bleach blonde hairdressing the money would buy you."

Another missive suggested the family did not share their neighbours' values and that owning the caravan was anti-social and inconsiderate.