PARENTS who allow their children to play truant will be hit with a £50 fine under new plans.

School heads in south Shropshire have given a mixed response to the new county council strategy, with fears that it could create friction between schools and parents.

The £50 fine may be issued to parents who are capable of getting a child to school but fail to do so, causing unacceptable levels of unauthorised absence.

Those taking children on holiday during term time without permission could also be liable.

If the fine is not paid within 28 days it will be increased to £100 and, if a parent still refuses to pay, court action will follow.

Dr Gill Eatough, head of Lacon Childe, in Cleobury Mortimer, said: "We have very few persistent problems with absence here.

"This measure would be used as a last resort, we would normally be able to resolve a problem before it got to this stage."

"It is important for parents to understand it is not up to teachers to ensure their children come to school it is up to them."

Philip Poulton, head of Ludlow School, said issues were not straightforward.

"Any actions I would take would need to be considered very carefully," he said.

"We value our relationships with parents and would seek to avoid penalty notices where possible. However, where parents did not seek to improve attendance within 15 days from notice to improve we would consider appropriate action."

"The new strategy is not aimed at punishing parents but at finding the best possible methods of getting children to attend school," said the council's principal education welfare officer, Janice Chaplin. "Unfortunately, parents know about the vast majority of unauthorised absences and we want them to know it is not acceptable."