MUMS have blasted education officials who sent police to their houses after they forgot to ring their daughters' school to say they would be absent.

Diana Taylor of Long Load admitted she forgot to notify that her daughter Becky was legitimately away from Huish Episcopi Academy near Langport because she was unwell.

Florist Sara Rogers of Martock said she was so busy taking her child Laura Cobden to the chiropractor for a bad back and arranging flowers for two weddings that she did not ring the school.

Both have criticised the "heavy-handed" approach by Somerset County Council and the police who have been mounting a truancy sweep to crack down on children bunking off school. Becky, 15, was at home when she was visited by an education officer and policeman who then tried calling Mrs Taylor on her mobile phone.

It was out of action because of reception problems in the Yeovil area.

Mrs Taylor added: "It was totally ridiculous. She was only off for one day and this reaction was over the top. She was left a bit shaken up by it all. I think the money could be better spent on other things."

When Laura, 16, returned home after her chiropractor appointment she found a note from the county council's Children and Young People's Directorate saying they had visited.

Mrs Rogers said: "I cannot believe that it is necessary to waste police time in this way when a phone call would be sufficient. If they are looking for truants as they say, they would not be at home anyway.

"There were four police cars in our village that day and we are lucky if we ever see one."

In a joint statement from Somerset County Council and Avon and Somerset Police, a spokesman said: "School attendance sweeps are part of a national campaign to increase school attendance figures. Figures for Somerset indicate that truancy numbers are below the national average, however, we will continue to work in partnership to improve our position each year.

"In some cases, young people truanting from school become vulnerable, often finding themselves drawn into incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime.

"Both organisations will continue to work together to take preventative measures and get young people back into education. We are absolutely committed to safeguarding young people across the county, supporting them and ensuring their safety and development to help them make positive life choices.

"Pupils need to be at school to reach their full potential and we make these attendance sweeps to discourage young people from missing out on a vitally important education and making poor choices."