A CRACKDOWN on truancy in Bury revealed that many unnecessary absences appear to be condoned by parents.

Results showed that out of 302 children of school age stopped during a week-long sweep in November, around two thirds were accompanied by mums or dads.

Among the excuses given were earache, needing to buy shoes and sore throats.

According to new guidelines, 19 pupils without parents or a valid excuse were escorted back to school by education welfare and police officers.

One pupil was too embarrassed to attend an expressive art lesson in front of other pupils, while another "did not feel like attending".

Truancy officers said the results highlighted the possibility that parents are keeping their children off school without good reason.

Senior education welfare officer Alan Cogswell said: "We would not want to challenge the judgement of a parent who says their child is ill, but surely the best place for those who are would be at home.

"Our fear is that we were given excuses about why children were off school, rather than the real reasons.

"While truancy remains a problem in the minority of cases, our greatest concern in Bury is non-attendance that has been condoned by parents."