PARENTS have faced hefty fines after the Isle of Wight Council took them to court when their children "failed to attend school regularly".

In all cases, the period of school missed was a block of between one and two weeks — suggesting the families had taken their children on holiday.

One family was left more than £1,000 out of pocket.

A Ventnor woman, whose child missed school for one week at the end of November, was fined £220, with a £34 surcharge and £100 court costs — leaving her £354 out of pocket.

A Sandown couple, whose two children failed to attend school for two weeks during November, were each fined £440, with a £44 surcharge and £100 court costs — leaving them each £584 out of pocket.

A Cowes man, whose child missed school for one week at the end of November, was fined £220, with a £34 surcharge and £100 court costs — leaving him £354 out of pocket.

A Newport woman, whose four children missed school for one week in December, found herself £1,014 out of pocket after fines, a victim surcharge and court costs.

A Newport man, whose child missed school for one week in December, was fined £220, with a £34 surcharge and £100 court costs — leaving him £354 out of pocket.

A Lake woman, whose child missed school over a ten day period during November, was fined £220, with a £34 surcharge and £100 court costs — leaving her £354 out of pocket.

The cases were all brought by the Isle of Wight Council and heard at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court.