The number of parents being fined for their children missing school has doubled in the past four years.

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show a total of 320 fines were dished out by local authorities in Hertfordshire in the last academic year - a rise of about 67 per cent on the previous year.

As of September 2013 children can only be taken out of school in "exceptional" circumstances, rather than heads being allowed to grant up to ten days’ leave a year for "special" circumstances.

In Hertfordshire, fines are issued on the basis of 21 or more sessions of unauthorised absence in the current or previous terms - with one session being half a day.

Campaigners say the term-time ban is unfair because the cost of going away during the holiday season is often higher.

Jessica Austin took her three sons away during term time due to her husband's work schedule.

The Noke Side resident said: "The school was very supportive but I still had to show my husband's contract that stipulated the lack of flexibility for his holiday.

"We discussed the situation and agreed on the best time for the boys to miss school.

"I hate having to take the children out of school to go on holiday and on the whole I do disagree with it.

"However a family holiday is such precious time that I think the schools should be in a position to judge the individual situation.

"They know where a family would genuinely struggle to afford a holiday during school holidays and those who are taking advantage of it.

"Those who are taking out unnecessarily should be fined and/or warned.

"However if the prices of holidays were fairer throughout the year then clearly this would mean that no-one would need to take advantage."

The 36-year-old, whose 11-year-old and two eight-year-old twins attend Killigrew Primary School, added: "The children miss out if they are not at school but they miss out if they cannot experience quality time with neither parent working on a holiday too."

In 2010, a total of 95 fines were handed out to parents in Hertfordshire, which rose to 131 in 2011, 111 in 2012 and 207 in 2013.

The Review ran an online poll, in which 63 per cent (40 respondents) said they would take their children out of school during term time, while 22 per cent (14 respondents) said they would not.

Eleven per cent (seven respondents) said they had previously done so and three per cent (two respondents) were not sure if they would.

One headmaster said it was common practice in schools to consider penalties for families who deliberately and regularly take their children out of school during term time, such as for holidays.

Alan Grey, Head of Sandringham School, said: "We all follow the DfE guidance on this and remind parents of their responsibilities and the regulations.

"In the case of Sandringham, I will not authorise any absence request that is for a holiday and make our families aware of this.

"Fortunately, we have very few cases of this and the attendance at the school is extremely high."

Andrew Dawson at Hertfordshire County Council said not all of the fines will have been issued because of parents taking children on holidays in term time.