THIEVES intent on stealing two caravans worth some £25,000 from a caravan and camping park early today fled empty-handed after being foiled by the owner and his two dogs.

Robert Tucker, who for the past two years has run the Apple Acres site at Mabledon Farm, Vauxhall Lane, Tonbridge, was woken at 2am when his Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs began barking.

Mr Tucker, 46, said: "I went outside with a flashlight and realised five or six people were trying to remove the two most expensive caravans we have on site. One was already in the process of being hitched up when I disturbed them.

"As soon as they saw me there was a lot of shouting in East European or Asian accents and they jumped into their cars and fled. I rang the police who, to their credit, were here within two or three minutes, but the gang had got away."

Mr Tucker said he had never experienced such an attempted theft before but he was convinced those responsible knew what they were doing.

He added: "They'd cut through the locks on the gate and disabled the security lighting, and then had removed locks and wheel clamps attached to the caravans. I don't know what they'd used but the clamps had been twisted off as if they were bits of tin."

Police are now trying to trace the offenders, and anyone with information is asked to contact them on 01732 771055 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Callers to Crimestoppers do not have to leave their name.