Parents in Halstead are now more inclined to take their child out of school for a holiday and pay a fine than ever before.

Figures released by Essex County Council via a Freedom of Information request suggest that a controversial Government crackdown aimed at stopping parents taking children out of school in term time for cheap holidays is failing in the district.

In 2009/10, 14 parents in the Braintree district were fined for taking their children out of school for a holiday, which has surged to 38 parents in 2013/14.

Tough new guidelines introduced in September say that parents must make a written request to the school if they want to take their children out of school or risk a £60 fine, which doubles to £120 if it is not paid within 28 days.

See this week's Halstead Gazette for the full story.