More checks are planned for the near future

Children truanting from Bristol schools say they are absent because of bridal wear fittings, shopping trips for computer games or just birthday treats.

The three reasons were given by some of the 250 pupils stopped by education and police officers during a recent three-day crackdown on truancy.

Any parent with a child or children judged to be of school age was approached and spoken to in the Broadmead and city centre area.

The aim was to establish why children were not at school, and to raise awareness of the importance of regular attendance.

John Gaskin, director of education and lifelong learning at the city council, said: "We take the issue of unauthorised absence very seriously.

"While in certain circumstances, such as medical appointments, it is obviously legitimate for parents to keep their children off school, absences for non-urgent matters, such as shopping trips, are not acceptable and result in a child missing out on their education."

More truancy patrol are planned for the near future.