Amos was jailed under new powers given to the courts

Her two daughters, Emma, 15, and Jackie, 13, have since returned to Banbury Comprehensive School, Oxfordshire.

It was reported that the two truanting sisters were given an official day off school yesterday to visit their mother in prison.

Following the short hearing, her solicitor Stephen Warrington said: "The judge's view was that he was reluctant to grant bail in a case where an appeal is pending.

"I think the judge was concerned that if he granted bail he would be prejudging the situation.

"I'm not surprised by the decision this morning."

New powers

The appeal will be heard at Oxford Crown Court on Wednesday 22 May.

On arrival at London's Holloway prison Amos was transferred to the hospital wing for treatment for what is believed to be an existing condition.

The case came to national prominence on Tuesday because it was thought to be the first time courts had used new powers they gained in November 2000.

The maximum penalty for allowing a child to truant is �2,500 and or three months in prison.

Roy Smith, acting chief education officer from Oxfordshire County Council said: "Parents have a duty to ensure that their children attend school.

"Oxfordshire County Council's education social work service has a duty to monitor attendance and to take appropriate steps to deal with persistent non-attendance."