The number of parents being fined for their children missing school has doubled in the past four years.

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show a total of 320 fines were dished out by local authorities in Hertfordshire in the last academic year – a rise of about 67 per cent on the previous year.

From last September children can only be taken out of school in "exceptional" circumstances, rather than heads being allowed to grant up to ten days’ leave a year for "special" circumstances.

Campaigners say the term-time ban is unfair because the cost of going away during the holiday season is often higher.   

In 2010, a total of 95 fines were handed out in the county, which rose to 131 in 2011, 111 in 2012 and 207 in 2013.

Andrew Dawson at Hertfordshire County Council said not all of the fines will have been issued because of parents taking children on holidays in term time.

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