The number of parents in Cornwall fined for taking their children out of school to go on holiday has increased significantly in a year, writes Richard Whitehouse, local democracy reporter.
Figures provided by Cornwall Council show that 374 penalty notices were issued in 2017/18 up from just five in the year before.
Schools and local authorities are allowed to issue fines to parents if they take their children out of school to go on holiday unauthorised. The fines are usually around £60 for a week.
In addition to fines issued for holiday absence another 13 fines were issued for truancy.
Cornwall Council has also provided details of how many fines were paid with 321 being settled, 34 were unpaid, 14 were withdrawn, 34 were prosecuted and 18 are pending payment.