If a penalty notice remains unpaid after 28 days it will increase to £100 and if still unpaid after 42 days, parents will be summoned to appear before a magistrate and a fine of up to £1,000 may be imposed.

We're going to be saving £700 by taking our child away in school term time rather than the school holidays

Parent of East Riding pupil

In future, absence will only be authorised in certain circumstances, including if parents have to take holidays in term time due to work commitments, when emigration is being considered or if there is a family ceremony such as a wedding.

Headteachers would require evidence before they authorised holidays even under these circumstances, the council said.

But there are also certain times when no holidays will be permitted.

Holidays will not be allowed in key periods, including the first six weeks of any academic year for any pupils.

No holidays will be allowed at any time during years 10 and 11, or during year six SATs week and year nine options time.

Huge savings

However, some parents in the county told BBC News that they would not be deterred by the fines because they could save hundreds or even thousands of pounds by taking holidays in term time.

One mother said: "We're going to be saving £700 by taking our child away in school term time rather than the school holidays."

East Yorkshire travel agent Andrew Earle said a holiday in Turkey for a family of four in June would cost about £1,200, whereas the same holiday in August would cost £2,000.

"People are conscious that schools don't want their kids being taken out of school but some will decide to take the savings even with a £50 fine," he said.