PARENTS on the Isle of Wight have been warned they could face fixed penalty fines if they keep their children out of school without a good reason.

Parents whose youngsters play truant or have excessive holidays during term time could be fined up to £50 from the beginning of this term.

Parents will first be referred to a pre-court panel, which looks into whether the behaviour warrants a fine.

A fine of £50 is levied if paid within 28 days and rises to £100 within the 29th and 42nd day. If the fine is not paid, parents can be taken to court by the local authority.

Children's Services portfolio holder at the Island council, Councillor Jill Wareham, said: "This approach to truanting is part of a national scheme but it is something the council takes very seriously. Research has shown that pupils who miss more than ten per cent of classes a year struggle to achieve their potential.

"A child taken out of class for a two week holiday will fall into that category for the rest of that term and into the next term.

"Our advice to parents is, we do not want to fine you so make sure your children are in school."

If you have problems, contact the council's education welfare officer."