SCHOOL attendance records in the Durham education authority area have surpassed expectation four years ahead of schedule.

Attendance at schools in the county in 2003-4 was the highest ever, with 91.87 per cent at secondary level and 94.35 in primary schools.

A new total absence target for both secondary and primary schools set by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) for the year 2007-8, of 6.83 per cent, was exceeded four years early.

Coun Neil Foster, county council cabinet member for education, said: "Since 2000 the county council has invested more than £3m of its own money into achieving that goal and by working with schools, and the local communities, we've increased attendance year on year, since 1998 in secondary schools.

"The majority of funding has been invested in encouraging young people to be interested in learning by providing a creative curriculum.

"But, we've also been heavily involved in pioneering anti-bullying work where we are now a leading authority in the country."

Maureen Clare, the council's head of access and inclusion, described it as 'a fantastic year for attendance,' but hopes it can be improved on in future years.