MORE than 1,200 school lessons were missed each day during last term in Lancashire through unauthorised absence, new figures reveal.

The Department for Education figures show that 145,480 morning and afternoon sessions were missed in the county through unauthorised absences over the spring term.

And during the 59-day period from January to April, 401,030 full-day lessons were missed as a result of authorised absences, which include sickness, holidays and doctors appointments.

Education bosses said the figures, which have fallen slightly from last year, show parents are taking more responsibility and schools are taking a tougher stance on pupils taking holidays during term time.

In Blackburn with Darwen, a total of 120,730 sessions were missed which is below the national and regional average.

Truancy rates were also below both averages.

In Lancashire, 826,810 authorised and unauthorised absences were recorded, which was again below the North West and country average.

Truancy rates were also lower.

Bob Stott, Lancashire County Council’s director for universal and prevention services for children and young people, said: “It is heartening to see that the spring term absence figures show a positive trend.”