Caravan Insurance

Two people, who have been found sleeping in a van for the last four months have hit out against a remark made to them by a local council worker, according to the Cheshunt and Waltham Mercury.

The brother and sister, who do not wish to be identified, claim that a member of Broxbourne Council advised them to find a "warm, shop doorway" when they applied for emergency accommodation.

The pair had been evicted from their private residence in Cheshunt, which is reported to be worth in the region of £325,000, following a legal battle.

After receiving virtually no help from the council, the pair turned to their last refuge - a white transit van.

The council claim that they were unable to prioritise the siblings' claim because there were no children involved.

So the pair, aged 39 and 34, have been living, eating and sleeping in the van since that day; getting water from a public toilet and huddling together in sleeping bags for warmth.

Concerns for the couple's safety have been raised, they are believed to do most of their cooking in the vehicle over an open flame and most van insurance policies do not cover kitchen accidents.

"It's been such an ordeal, but it's just a matter of trying to get through it," said the brother, who works as a self-employed traffic light installer.

The council authority has yet to respond to the allegations.