Seventy-two parents in Swale have been prosecuted for taking their children out of school during term-time.

Kent County Council has also collected tens of thousands of pounds in fines from those caught breaking the rules.

In the 2013/14 academic year, the authority issued 689 penalty notices of £60 to families in the borough, with the fine rising to £120 if not paid within 21 days.

Legal proceedings were taken against another 72 parents after 109 of the fines were left unpaid.

But a number of parents have branded the system unfair for penalising people who cannot take time off work during the school holidays.

"I think you’d find that 90% of parents are missing out on holidays because they can’t do it in August” - Iwade father Ian Hall

Iwade engineer Ian Hall had to pay £120 after he and his wife, Michelle, were fined for taking their six-year-old son abroad during term-time this year.

The 46-year-old said: “I can’t get holidays off in August because it’s our busiest period. I can only take holidays in June.

“I wrote to the school at the beginning of last year to say I will be taking my holiday in June and that we would take extra homework for Leo with us.

"My wife and I were fined £60 each, because it’s £60 per parent, per child.

"I think you’d find that 90% of parents are missing out on holidays because they can’t do it in August.”

Mr Hall, of Meadow Rise, said the family would not be taking a holiday next year after being sent a letter threatening court action.

Alison Mackenzie, 44, was issued with a penalty notice in January after she took both of her teenage children, Sophie and Alex, out of school for five days before the Christmas break.

Despite Alison and husband David, of Eden Village, Sittingbourne, writing letters to both schools, they were sanctioned £60 each.

She said: “I cannot impress enough how wrong I think it is.

“It is the implication that we are terrible parents who are damaging our children’s educations.

“I believe every family’s case for a term-time holiday should be considered individually.”

However, marketing manager Mark Vickery, from Iwade, agrees with the system.

Mr Vickery, who has two children, Isaac and Rachel, aged seven and four, with his wife Susan, said: “Kids need a decent education.

"There is a correlation between truancy and poor results, which subsequently leads to worse job opportunities and possibly unemployment.

"Apart from missing part of the curriculum it also sets a bad example for kids – that education is less important that a good holiday.”

He added parents could save money by choosing destinations that are less commercial.