AN East Lancashire mother who let her children skip school has become one of the first parents in the country to be hit by an order to curb her family's loutish behaviour.

Ellen Morris has been given a parenting order after admitting three counts of failing to ensure her children regularly attended school.

Morris is among only a handful of people in Britain to be served with the maximum 12-month order, police today said.

She was taken to court after allowing three of her children to persistently miss school for six months.

She was given three 18 month conditional discharges by Reedley magistrates following the breaches under the Education Act 1996 and ordered to adhere to the injunction.

Insp Jon Bullas said officers had received a number of reports of anti-social behaviour against the family.

He added those committing loutish behaviour would be dragged through the courts.

"The order, served on the mother, clearly sets out her responsibilities and the sanctions that can be used against her if she fails to comply with the order," he said.

The punishment was secured by Lancashire County Council and backed by organisations including the police and Pendle Council. It follows a catalogue of complaints about the family.

Last month Morris was fined £700 by the same court for 23 incidents of playing loud music.

Morris, of Duckworth Street, Barrowford, will now have to ensure her children regularly attend lessons. If she flouts the order, she could be fined up to £1,000.