SWINDON parents could face a £100 fine if they take their children on holiday during term time.

The Government is introducing penalties under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act, which are expected to apply to any holidays not authorised by the school.

Head teachers and the travel industry back the fines, but parents who spoke to the Evening Advertiser said they saw no harm in their children missing a couple of weeks of school.

"There's no problem in them having two weeks off," said Andres Dus, 40, the landlord of the Nine Elms pub in Shaw. "A £100 fine wouldn't put me off."

Warren Farquhar, 35, of Bridgemead, said he had taken his two boys out of school a couple of times because his wife had been unable to get time off work at any other time.

"It hasn't done them any harm, and you can't always plan your holidays around the school term," he said.

Helen Robertson, 44, of Shrivenham, said although she had done it in the past, she would stop taking her children out of school if there was a danger of being fined.

"I can see why the Government wants to do it because the children do miss out," she said.

"If they brought in new rules I wouldn't break them."

But George Parks, 39, of Melksham, said: "The average family can't afford to go away during the school holidays."

Wendy Musson, assistant manager of Going Places in Regent Street, Swindon, said a lot of families did take holidays during school term time.

But she defended the travel industry against claims high prices were forcing parents to take their children out of school, saying all that was needed was forward planning.

"If they book their holidays early they're getting massive discounts, free child places, and free insurance," she said.

"There are lots of cheap places during the school holidays it's whether they choose to get them."

Ian Hill, of the National Union of Teachers in Swindon, said rather than fining parents for taking their children on holiday the Government should focus its resources on reducing other unexplained absences.

"In an ideal world pupils wouldn't go on holiday during term time but there are bigger problems," he said.

Coun Garry Perkins (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms), lead member for education, said he supported the introduction of fines.

"It is most important children do attend school, particularly during exam times," he said.

"Parents should be encouraged to take their holidays during the school holidays."

Andy Tate