Town's truancy rates fall by 33%

The number of pupils caught playing truant in a County Durham town has fallen by 33%, figures have revealed.

Darlington Council said the efforts of its welfare officers working with parents had helped tackle the problem.

During the 2006 to 2007 autumn to spring term, the number of persistent absences was 9.35%, falling to 6.16% during the same period in 2007 to 2008.

The figures for secondary pupils were released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Council's cabinet member for children and young people, said: "The education welfare officers do an excellent job with the schools, parents and pupils.

"This goes to show that by working together we can address the issues."