SCHOOL chiefs in Swindon have been told to slap fines on parents or even put them in jail if their children play truant from school.

Swindon Council is already drawing up guidelines for headteachers who from September will be able to issue penalties of up to £100 if children miss lessons without permission under new powers.

Ten local authorities have already decided not to take up the new powers in case they damage relations between schools and families.

But the fines look set to be used in Swindon even though the town has defied the national rise in truancy.

There has been a 38 per cent drop in unauthorised absences in the past five years compared with a 16 per cent rise across the country.

If parents refuse to pay the fines, legal steps mean they face prosecution and even a possible jail sentence.

Heads can also fine parents who take their children out of school on term-time holidays without permission.

The controversial measures have been road-tested by a small group of local education authorities.

However, Heads' unions have warned fining parents of persistent truants could make them even less co-operative.