It comes after it emerged that at least 50,414 penalty notices were issued as a result of children being taken out of lessons for trips in the last academic year alone.

This was almost three times as many penalties as two years ago, and a rise of 25% on the previous year, when around 40,200 penalties were given out. The figures were revealed by Press Association following a Freedom of Information request.

The new rules on term-time holidays were introduced two years ago to crack down on absence, but the Local Government Association says the system is unworkable and is demanding change.

The Department for Education in September 2013 required headteachers to take a harder line on requests for absence.

Parent who take their children out of school during term time are reported to their local authorities if it is not authorised. The councils are obliged by government to fine a parent £60 per child, which rises to £120 if it is not paid within 21 days.

In certain circumstances those that fail to pay can face prosecution and a maximum fine of £2,500 or a jail sentence of up to three months.

The LGA’s call follows the case last week when a father avoided prosecution for refusing to pay a £120 fine for taking his six-year-old daughter out of school for a holiday to Disney World in Florida.

The case was thrown out at the Isle of Wight magistrates court, after the father, Jon Platt argued the law required parents to ensure their children attended school "regularly", and did not put restrictions on taking them on holidays in term time.

The LGA has highlighted that families often struggle with the high cost of holidays outside of term time