Two parents have been fined for failing to ensure their children went to school regularly.

Staff from East Sussex County Council's Education Welfare Service brought the cases before Lewes magistrates earlier this week.

The first parent, who failed to show-up, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £75 to Local Education Authority (LEA).

In the second case, the parent of a pupil from Newhaven was fined £50, given a conditional discharge and also ordered to pay costs of £75.

Councillor Rupert Simmons, lead Cabinet member for education at the county council, said: "If parents continually fail to co-operate with our Education Welfare Service to overcome attendance problems, they may face a heavy fine in court.

"The fact that Lewes magistrates imposed a £1,000 fine on a parent this week is an example that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.

"Parents who are experiencing difficulties with their child's schools attendance should seek advice from their school or the county's Education Welfare Service."

Children skipping school were the target of National Truancy Week, last week.

Education welfare officers joined police in sweeps in Bexhill, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Hastings and Heathfield.

A total of 78 children were stopped and 23 returned to school by police.