PARENTS of pupils attending school in the Ramsbottom area will receive letters advising them not to take their children on holiday during term time.

Bury Metro's executive member for Lifelong Learning, Coun Steve Perkins, said: "The right to request leave has an historical basis dating back to a time when the national economy was very different and it has little relevance to modern society.

"Although a headteacher has the power to deny a family's request for leave of absence, in doing so they face considerable pressure from both families and the consequential effect on published statistics of unauthorised absence.

"Even if headteachers do take a stance against holidays in term times parents can often undermine this by giving false information.

"We really need to tackle this problem but it is only with the co-operation of parents that we can prevent pupils missing out on vital chunks of their education."

The council's move comes after a meeting of the National Executive Committee of the Association for Education Welfare Management when concern was expressed about the difficulties term-time holidays caused.

Bury Metro's head of education welfare Alan Cogswell said a revised guide for parents would be issued to schools later this month.

He said: "We have examples of pupils missing their SATs tests, and of even more concern, missing GCSE exams. What message does that give to our young people?"