BURY'S anti-truancy patrols took to the streets in the run-up to Christmas.

Last year a similar exercise by the council's education welfare officers, in conjunction with local police, resulted in scores of youngsters, many of them with parents, being stopped and asked to explain why they were not at school.

A number of cautions were issued when satisfactory explanations could not be given or it became clear that the child was absent without proper authorisation.

Leading up to the festive period similar patrols have once again taken place. During a three-day period a total of 66 pupils were spoken to about their absence from school. The majority of excuses were doctor's appointments, toothache and flu. More bizarre complaints included burnt hands and a nail in a shoe. The patrols also came across a girl suffering from a virus who was still well enough to do her Christmas shopping.

Bury's Lifelong Learning chairman, Councillor Trevor Holt, said: "In the past we have had complaints about the apparently large number of children who are in the town centre area during what should be a normal school day.

"In some cases there are justifiable reasons but, as our patrols discovered last year, for many there are not."

He added: "After consultation with police, we have therefore decided to stage similar patrols over the next few weeks.

"For those parents who might hav been considering taking their children with them Christmas shopping when they should have been at school or turning a blind eye to unauthorised absenteeism, our advice was don't do it.

"As a council in recent years we have taken a strong and consistent line as far as truancy is concerned. We are determined to stamp it out and we will take whatever action is necessary, including legal proceedings, to do so."

Parents owe it to their children to make sure that they attend school and do not miss out on vital education which, if lost now, is never likely to be made up.

Bury sub-divisional police commander, Superintendent Steve Westcott, added: "We fully support the truancy initiative because young people can drift into petty crime while not in school."