EDUCATION chiefs have issued a fresh warning to parents after dozens of youngsters were caught playing truant from school in Darlington.

The latest truancy sweep carried out in the town by the borough council's education welfare service found 36 children out of school.

Twenty-eight of those were accompanied by an adult when they were stopped last Thursday.

And the majority of those questioned said they were too ill to go to school.

The sweep was part of a national Department for Education and Skills drive to reduce truancy levels.

Crackdowns began in Darlington towards the end of last year, with a two-week campaign in December resulting in more than 80 youngsters being stopped by council officers and police. Of the 85 children questioned at that time, 71 were with an adult and, as well as sickness, reasons for not being in school included shopping for shoes and buying wedding outfits.

Senior education figures warned both parents and pupils that the matter of non-attendance at schools was being taken more seriously than ever.

Councillor Chris McEwan, the council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "We will continue to do all that we can to make sure that the problem of unauthorised absence from schools is tackled."

He said it was important for parents to understand that if their children missed out on school their education would suffer.

A council spokesman said that action was been taken in the wake of Thursday's sweep.

He said: "Letters were sent to parents whose children were found on their own. Verbal warnings were also given to the adults who were accompanying children.

In cases where youngsters are repeatedly truanting, the council now has the power to issue £50 fixed penalty fines.

Truancy officers will issue fines to parents of pupils who have missed at least ten half-days from school.

Up to two fixed penalty notices can be issued in any academic year.