More parents are being fined for taking their children on holiday during term time without permission, figures would suggest.

The 20 largest local authorities in England say the number of fines levied so far this academic year has gone up by 10%.

In Liverpool the number is up 50% to 116 fines in the autumn term compared to 77 for the same period last year. Ron Collinson, Liverpool's chief attendance officer, believes that Liverpool particularly has a problem being close to John Lennon Airport, with low-cost airlines offering cheap deals. Parents complain that flights and holidays are far more expensive outside term time and this can dwarf the cost of a fine.

Over 18,000 penalty notices were issued in England in the school year 2007-8. Scotland and Wales, however, do not use fines.