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The prospect of squatters moving in is a nightmare scenario for second home owners - and it turned into a horrible reality for one couple who headed to their holiday property in the south of France, only to discover it was already occupied.

When the couple, who had travelled from their home in Lyon, arrived at their property in Théoule-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, they found it had been taken over by a family, who had changed the locks and had also altered the homeowners' name on the electricity bill.

Read more: Your rights if squatters move into empty French home

Unable to enter their home, the property's legitimate owners spent the night in their car, but according to the couple, evicting the squatters is proving difficult and time consuming.

The family occupying the house includes a pregnant woman and children, which has prevented officials from acting quickly, BFMTV reports.