DEPUTY headteachers from schools across the region will attend a seminar today to find out how a text messaging system can tackle truancy.

Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College has been using a system known as Informer for Schools to help it improve attendance and increase the safety of children.

When a child fails to attend registration, the County Durham school uses the system to contact their parents or guardians.

Children are aware that any absence will be noticed and reported to parents immediately.

Headteacher Steve Gater said: "It has made a significant difference to the speed with which we are able to contact parents.

"This has no doubt helped with the improvement in attendance which we have seen."

The system, from Leicester company Voice Connect, is also used by the school to contact parents about sports days and parents' evenings.

It was used in February to let parents know the school was to be closed because of snow.

Mr Gater said: "Being able to communicate with parents to let them know their child has not attended registration has helped us increase attendance and keep in touch with parents more often."

Teachers will attend the seminar to find out if the system can be used in their schools.