EDUCATION bosses have issued 187 fines to parents of children in East Lancashire who have played truant or who have been taken out of school for holidays without permission.

And they have revealed that in the last academic year, 17 parents and carers were prosecuted in magistrates’ court for their child’s absences.

Blackburn with Darwen Council issued 44 penalty notices for truancy, 11 of which were prosecuted after failing to pay the fine.

And bosses handed out 128 notices to parents and carers who took their children out of school for unauthorised family holidays during term-time. Of those, five are being prosecuted.

The numbers are slightly up on last year.

Meanwhile, Lancashire County Council issued 15 penalty notices in East Lancashire, only one of which has led to prosecution.

Parents and carers, who are taken to court when fines are not paid, are prosecuted for a child’s non- attendance rather than for failing to pay the £50 fine which doubles to £100 after 28 days.

Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for children’s services for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “As a council, we take truancy very seriously and we work very hard to crack down on cases involving this through the penalty notice system.

“It is a very important priority and we continue to work with schools, young people and their families to encourage good attendance habits and take the appropriate steps when parents do not ensure their child’s regular attendance at school.”

Frances Molloy, school attendance lead for Lancashire County Council, said: “Taking parents to court over non-attendance at school is a serious matter which we always consider carefully.

Schools try to engage with parents before absenteeism becomes a serious problem and support is available from schools and the local authority for parents who are experiencing difficulties.

“If this does not improve the situation, a penalty notice may be issued.

If this fails to work, we have a duty to consider whether prosecution is required in order to ensure a child's right to an education.”