A MOTHER who failed to keep her two daughters in school has been fined £1,000.

Bolton Magistrates heard how Phyllis Budgeon, of Rawsthorne Street, Halliwell, had received numerous letters about Stacey and Sara Budgeon's lack of attendance at Little Lever Community Secondary School.

Education social worker Joanne Dalton told the court how she first visited the family in November 2000 after the two teenagers had failed to attend the Church Street school for almost a month.

She said Mrs Budgeon, aged 40, claimed to be unaware of the truancy and she had not received any letters.

During a 129-day period, Stacey, aged 16, attended school on only 75 days and Sara, aged 14, on 59 days.

Despite numerous visits and letters, Miss Dalton described Mrs Budgeon's co-operation as "very poor".

Magistrates said it appeared that every opportunity to help get the children back to school was ignored.