RECORD levels of attendance were achieved in County Durham's primary and secondary schools last year.

Latest provisional figures show the recent improvement in school turn-out continued during the last academic year, ending last month, with fewer days lost through truancy and authorised absence.

Secondary school attendance reached a record 92.32-per cent in the county in 2006-7, compared to 91.91-per cent the previous year.

Primary attendance excelled those figures, amounting to a record 94.76-per cent, compared with 94.29 the previous year.

The combined figures represent a drop of 147,677 half-days lost to absence compared to the preceding academic year.

Councillor Claire Vasey, Durham County council's cabinet member for children's services, said the figures represented, "an impressive record" of continuous improvement.

She said a contributory factor was a reduction in the number of school days lost through pupil exclusions.

Days lost to fixed term exclusions fell by ten-per cent, following a similar improvement last year.

Coun Vasey said: "Clearly, schools, parents and pupils are recognising the importance of good attendance levels and are working hard to maintain the upward trend.

"Our improving examination results over recent years suggest there's a growing acceptance among young people that it's cool to succeed, and that good attendance is essential element of success."

She said the "continuing trend", of increasing attendance and falling absence, is also down to the hard work and effort of the workforce in schools and other education services throughout the county.

Coun Vasey said there has also been a "sustained commitment" by the county council to improve school attendance.

The council invests more than £2m a year on a social inclusion programme in education, which includes providing a wider range of opportunities within schools, offering reward schemes and competitions, plus support for pupils feeling bullied or who may be anxious for other reasons.

Campaigns have urged parents against taking children on holiday or shopping trips in school time, while there is also the "last resort" of prosecution for parents repeatedly failing to ensure their sons or daughters attend school.