THE question of parental responsibility has been brought into sharp focus by the separate cases of Elaine Walker, from the Yorkshire Dales, and Kelly Ann Piggford, from Darlington.

Miss Walker continues to dig a deeper and deeper hole for herself, telling the world that she has no reason to feel guilty about leaving her 15-year-old daughter behind as she starts a new life with her Turkish boyfriend.

Meanwhile, Miss Piggford, who left her two sons and daughter with a teenager before jetting off to Turkey, has been warned she may face jail after pleading guilty yesterday to three charges of child neglect.

The 24-year-old mother has yet to be sentenced by magistrates but was told that her actions placed her children at risk and were "wholly irresponsible".

Miss Piggford should certainly be ashamed of herself. She has been selfish in a way which the vast majority of parents could not comprehend.

But should she be sent to jail? In our view the answer is "no". A prison sentence would certainly send a strong message to other parents about their responsibilities and there is some merit in that.

But with prisons overcrowded and taxpayers having to foot the bill, we believe that community service is a more appropriate sentence.

Kelly Ann Piggford is in this mess because she left her children. She now has them back and is being monitored regularly by social services.

Taking her away from her children again would be as much a punishment for them as it would be for her.