POLICE have warned of a possible scam which has brought holiday heartbreak to families who thought they had booked a break in North Yorkshire.

Three families in the Humberside Police region appear to have been conned out of hundreds of pounds of holiday money.

The police were contacted by the families who had booked a caravan holiday but were then told it had been cancelled - and are still waiting for their money back.

The families had all booked a privately-owned caravan that was advertised in a local newspaper as a late cancellation. It was advertised at a bargain price at Reighton Sands Caravan Park in Filey. The families were then all visited by a man to book the holiday, and completed authentic looking documents from the caravan park, paying the full payment for the holiday. But the holiday-makers then received a letter saying the man they had booked the holiday with had gone into liquidation, that the holiday had been cancelled and they would receive a refund in due course. But to date they are all still waiting for their money.

The families have all contacted the caravan park, only to find they have not received a booking form from them for the period booked, and the caravan in question does not exist.

A Humberside Police spokeswoman said: "If anyone has had a similar experience they are asked to contact Humberside Police on 01482 578600. And if possible, check the details with the caravan park before booking or handing over money."

A spokesman for Haven, owners of the caravan park, said: "This is a very sad and heart-breaking case and it just alerts people to be doubly sure that they are booking correctly with the official bodies, and are not being conned as would appear to be happening in this case."

Updated: 11:09 Tuesday, August 05, 2003