FIVE children stopped in truancy sweeps in York were with an adult, according to recent figures.

More than 30 youngsters were stopped in the city as part of the nationwide truancy sweeps in December.

From the 31 stopped, nine were absent from school without authorisation; five of these were girls and four were boys and one was of primary school age.

But York fared well in comparison with other areas including East Riding where 44 youngsters were found to be truanting, 13 of them of primary school age and 21 accompanied by an adult.

In North Yorkshire, the figures were a little better with 17 children found truanting, eight of whom were with an adult.

Ivan Lewis, the Minister for Young People and Adult Skills, said the figures underlined the need for continued efforts to cut truancy rates by Government, local education authorities and parents.

He said: "At a time when nearly half of all children are achieving five or more good GCSEs, only eight per cent of persistent truants achieve this standard.

"Investment in our schools is at record levels and Ofsted is reporting that teaching standards are the best ever - we must ensure that every child can take full advantage of this."

Updated: 09:18 Saturday, March 01, 2003