MORE than 100 Worcestershire parents have appeared in court since September for failing to make their children go to school.

The figures were released as part of a major clampdown on truancy by the county council.

"We concentrate on tackling truancy more than a lot of other areas, so the number of prosecutions are going to be higher," said senior education welfare officer Richard Jones.

"In Worcestershire, we do everything possible to make sure that every child in the county is given the best education they can. And if that means taking parents to court, then we will.

"That is, however, a last resort and we try to do all we can for pupils before it reaches that point.

"We'll visit the child first, and then the school, to see if there are any problems.

"If any allegations are made, then these will be investigated.

"We'll then try to work out the best way for a child to get back into school - even offering part-time timetables when the situation calls for them."

The power to take parents to court was introduced only a few years ago.

Councils have to prove that guardians know their children are absent and the maximum penalty is a £2,500 fine or three months imprisonment.

Beforehand, authorities could only impose a £1,000 fine under the Education Act, but they did not have to prove parental knowledge of truancy.

Another way the council is trying to combat the problem is by joining police on random street searches.

Recent checks in Worcester city centre and Kidderminster have been hailed major successes with hundreds of children being caught and escorted back to school.

In January, Angelina Jones, aged 34, of Watery Lane, Stourport-on-Severn, was fined £200 and ordered to pay £50 costs for failing to send her 15-year-old daughter to Bewdley High School regularly.

In March, 39-year-old Edward Nunn - of Worcester Road, Stourport - was fined £150 and ordered to pay £50 costs for failing to ensure his two daughters attended school.

A month later, Diane Underhill, of Shaw Walk, Malvern, was fined £200 after her son attended school on only 18 days out of 190.