THERE'S nothing new about children "bunking off" school lessons.

But that doesn't make the problem of truancy any less serious.

The simple fact is that youngsters who miss school are likely to get into trouble during the day by becoming involved in vandalism, drug taking, violence, stealing or other criminal activities.

And the more lessons they miss the harder it is for them to catch up with their education.

Ultimately parents have to be held responsible for the absences and it is up to them to ensure their sons and daughters are where they should be.

While some might claim they have tried everything they can think of to get their children to school plenty of others believe they have done their duty by merely telling them to go to school. That isn't good enough.

Around two parents a week are being prosecuted for "aggravated truancy" as the offence is now called.

Now councils across East Lancashire are gearing up to issue £100 fines for parents who condone unauthorised absence, including taking holidays in term time.

So far these tougher measures haven't so far reduced the problem. But this is a battle that has to be won for the sake of the next generation.