The mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted failing to ensure the regular school attendance of two of her five children.

The court heard that the two children, both in year 11 at a St Neots secondary school, had attendance rates of just 11% and 7%.

Their mother, who has a previous conviction for a similar offence, had failed to attend several meetings at the school, having been made aware of her children's very poor school attendance and had failed to respond to offers of support from the school's education welfare officer.

The parent was already in breach of a community order when magistrates imposed a two-month prison sentence, suspended for nine months.

After the case, Martin Smith, Cambridgeshire County Council's school attendance manager, said: "This case sends out a very clear message that non-school attendance will be treated by the courts as a very serious matter.

"Children have a right to their education and the county council will seek to ensure that this right is protected."

Parents can be fined up to £2,500 and sentenced to up to three months in prison for failing to ensure their children's regular attendance at the school where they are registered.