A COUPLE have become the first in a North-East town to be made the subject of a parenting order.

And in a second case yesterday, another Darlington mother was warned she could be forced to attend parenting classes.

The couple, from Skerne Park estate, appeared at Darlington magistrates court yesterday after earlier being found guilty of failing to send their daughter to school.

They will now have to attend lessons in parenting for a year or face the possibility of a fine or even imprisonment. The couple also received a 12-month conditional discharge.

The court heard the girl attended only 40 out of a possible 170 school sessions between October 29 and March 15.

Yvonne Rennard, for Darlington Borough Council as the education authority, said: "There were no real reasons given for her lack of attendance. She has attended when a welfare officer has taken her to school but when the welfare officer has gone on to her other cases, her attendance has gone down again."

Graham Hunsley, for the couple, said they were concerned about their daughter's behaviour and were waiting for an appointment with a child psychologist and were in consultation with their GP.

He said: "They want their daughter to attend school. They believe there's a problem with her that they hope is dealt with. They would appreciate any help available through a parenting order."

Parenting orders became law under the Government Crime and Disorder Act of 1998.

Anyone subjected to one must attend special parenting classes where they are instructed how to support and look after their children.

In a separate case yesterday, a mother was warned she could be placed under a parenting order after she admitted failing to send her daughter to a village school near Darlington.

The court heard the girl had attended only 23 per cent of lessons and her mother had failed to keep appointments with the school.

The case was adjourned for reports and the mother was warned the court would consider a parenting order.