IT was a (May) fair cop, 18 kids caught out of school when the carnival came to Hereford - most of them with their parents or other family.

Pupils bunking off for the fair is something every head teacher in the city has to bargain for. But when mum and dad don't care that's 'particularly disappointing' said Dennis Longmore of Herefordshire LEA. Those 14 mums and dads that didn't, face fines of up to £2,500, three months imprisonment or both.

All told 22 children were caught out in a joint LEA-police sweep of the fair over its three days.

Only four were genuine absentees. Another four were out alone, with two of them sent straight back to class.

Two others were not registered with any school and their stories are being followed-up by the Education Welfare Service.

Excuses from the 14 found with mum, dad, or other family in tow ranged from 'helping Gran with the shopping' to a 'sore throat'.

One mum had five school age kids with her and another said she 'didn't care' that time off to visit the fair was illegal.

The LEA makes truancy sweeps through targeted areas at least once every half term.