SIXTY-TWO youngsters were stopped during a truancy sweep in Bolton on Friday -- and around two thirds of them were with a parent.

Six education social officers and six police officers took to the town centre streets searching for schoolchildren who had no good reason not to be in school.

Education bosses are concerned that the message has not got through to parents how important it is that children do not miss even one day of their education.

Principal education social worker Ian Price said usually they stopped between 65 to 70 children on the sweeps, which take place at least once a term.

Education social worker Abdul Patel and PC Jon Marsh stopped half a dozen children in two hours in the town centre. One teenage boy claimed he was allowed Fridays off so he could go and play golf.

The boy -- and other children stopped who were not accompanied by an adult -- were then taken to the town hall where their stories were checked. Those who should have been in school were taken there in a mini-bus.

In the instances where schoolchildren were stopped with their mother or father, parents claimed the child was off school because of sickness.

Mr Patel said: "If these children are so ill to be off school, why are they walking round the town centre?"

Education social workers and the police are preparing to have another truancy sweep in May.