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ACTOR Ricky Tomlinson has been driven to distraction – after his caravan was stolen.

It was sited in a meadow in the village of Farndon, south of Chester on the banks of the River Dee.

Ricky – who played Jim Royle in The Royle Family – was using it as a base to film wildlife for a documentary project he is working on.

He said: “I can’t believe it happened. It must have been a well-organised gang of thieves because it is a big, six-berth caravan which was not even on wheels.

“It was 2ft off the floor and resting on railway sleepers and breeze-blocks because it was on a flood plain.

“The caravan was down a country lane over a mile long within a gated private meadow.

“They took the gate off its hinges and must have had a decent-sized vehicle to take it away.

“I am gutted because I was in the process of letting one of my mates use it for a little outing for his two kids.”

The caravan is a 27ft-long Hobby 635 and is mainly white with blue borders.

The theft was discovered and reported at the weekend and although Ricky is not certain when it was stolen he believes it may have been taken either late last Wednesday night or in the early hours of Thursday.

Ricky added: “I have only had it for a couple of years and it is still in sparkling condition – it is immaculate. The plastic covering was still on the seats.

“I am appealing for anyone who might have information to contact the police or the ECHO and hopefully I can get it back.

“The caravan was in a great spot and I have filmed wildlife there, including woodpeckers, squirrels and buzzards, for a documentary I have been working on – just a little independent film.

“There was everything there and it was a lovely place to go for a bit of peace and quiet.”

Call police on 101.